Click here for video of David Folchinsky's 2007 Battle of the Baton performance.
 

    After several months of anticipation and friendly competition, the 2nd annual contest for the Battle for the Baton culminated on Sunday, April 27 at the 5th Anniversary concert of the Brenham Children’s Chorus at the International Festival-Institute in Round Top. Throughout the contest, the three candidates competing for the honor of directing the chorus and orchestra raised over $3000 to benefit the Chorus. The Chorus is honored and deeply grateful to these outstanding candidates: Deidra Mearns, Eric Rettig, and Lete Phillips. After delighting in the musical performance of the Chorus, Board Chairman Melvin Ziegenbein announced that Lete Phillips won the Battle for the Baton. “I am not the winner”, said Mrs. Phillips. “These children are the winners”. Mrs. Phillips accepted the engraved baton and conducted the Chorus, the orchestra, and the audience in the singing of The Star Spangled Banner. It was an inspirational afternoon of music and celebration.