Kill Devil Hills, NC
November 18, 2003

Event planners for the First Flight Centennial Celebration have announced musical entertainment for the 10 a.m. Welcome and Centennial Greetings programs during the First Flight Centennial Celebration at Wright Brothers National Memorial on December 12-14 and 16.

The daily Welcome and Centennial Greetings program will feature the Raleigh Boy Choir on December 12, the popular bands The Landsharks and The Embers (3 p.m. in the Pavilion) on December 13, the Elizabeth City State University Chorus on December 14, and Molasses Creek on December 16.

These musical groups supplement the big-name line-up of 1 p.m. Main Stage Entertainment acts already announced for the First Flight Centennial Celebration that includes Michelle Branch (December 12); The Beach Boys (December 13); The Temptations (December 14); Aaron Tippin (December 15); and Lee Greenwood (December 16).

"We are very proud to announce this additional entertainment for the First Flight Centennial Celebration," said Kim Sawyer, Program Administrator for North Carolina's First Flight Centennial Commission. "Our programming offers something for everyone, and we know our centennial visitors will enjoy the performances these talented performers will provide."

Founded in 1968, the Raleigh Boychoir provides a rich musical experience for boys ages nine to fifteen in the greater Raleigh area. Eighty singers make up the three performing and training choirs. The choir performs a demanding repertoire from sacred and secular classics, musical theatre, and American folk and patriotic music, and performs 15-20 concerts annually. They have performed at the White House, Carnegie Hall, the World's Fair, the American Choral Directors Association, and Washington National Cathedral. International tours have taken them to Austria, Germany, England, Belgium, The Netherlands, Switzerland and Italy, where they performed for Pope John Paul II. The choir recently toured in Scotland, England and France, with a performance at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

On the web: http://www.ipass.net/rbc/

Gary Roland and The Landsharks Band was formed in 1986 and has performed for millions of fans all over the world. The interactive party band plays a wide variety of music including rock and roll, reggae, dance, beach music, calypso and country. The ten-member band has performed with Jimmy Buffett and recorded their first CD at his recording studio in Key West, FL.

On the web: http://www.landsharksband.com/

The Embers started making music in 1958, playing a mix of rhythm and blues and heart and soul that came to be known as Beach Music. Over the years they've played for presidents and princes, students and bankers, at the beach and in the city, on record and in concert. They've been inducted into the South Carolina Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame and were named North Carolina's Official Musical Ambassadors. They've opened for the Rolling Stones, done commercials for Budweiser, played the Olympics and President Clinton's inauguration, and created the soundtrack for endless summers.

On the web: http://www.theembers.net/meettheembers.html

Under the direction of Professor Billy C. Hines, the Elizabeth City State University Choir has been described as an "incredible group of voices" and has performed throughout the eastern United States and the Bahamas. It is known for its eclectic musical taste and resplendent audience appeal. Former North Carolina Governor James B. Hunt stated, "Elizabeth City State University has the best university choral group in America."

On the web: http://ecsuchoir.hypermart.net

Molasses Creek's humble beginnings arose amidst the rich tidewater marshes of Ocracoke Island, NC, where stunning natural beauty mixes with community to create a rich melting pot of musical traditions. This high-energy acoustic folk-fusion group continues to win a loyal following with a captivating stage presence, elegant harmonies, blazing instrumentals, and a quirky sense of humor. Award winners from Garrison Keillor's A Prairie Home Companion "Talent from Towns Under Two-Thousand" contest in 2000, this band has five albums to their credit, and has traveled many thousands of miles across the country to concerts and festivals.

On the web: http://www.molassescreek.com

The First Flight Centennial Celebration takes place at Wright Brothers National Memorial December 12-17, 2003. The six-day event is designed to commemorate the last century of flight; celebrate the achievements of aviators throughout history; and inspire future generations of aviators and the public to further the Wright brothers' dream.

All of the most recent information on the First Flight Centennial Celebration can be accessed at the Centennial website on www.firstflightcentennial.org. For First Flight Centennial Celebration tickets, visit www.wrightbrothers.reserveworld.com, or call (800) 973-7327 or (301) 722-1257 (for callers outside the United States). Tickets are still available for December l3-l6 (December l2 is a non-ticketed day; December l7 is sold out.)

For information on accommodations or information about the Outer Banks of North Carolina, check the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau website at www.outerbanks.org or call their toll-free number at (877) 298-4373.

Contact:

Erin Porter Centennial Planning Office
Tel: 252 441 6291, ext. 224
ErinPorterNPS@aol.com