CONGRATULATIONS

BURBANK HIGH SCHOOL GRAD’S GROUP WINS MUSIC HONOR

The Braeded Chord, made up of keyboardist Doris Au MacDonald, a graduate of Burbank High School, and guitarist Sharon Dennis, was awarded a Washington Area Musicians Assn. Award (WAMMIE) for Best Gospel/Inspirational Group of 2006 in February at the State Theater in Falls Church, Va.

MacDonald is the daughter of Dorothy Au of Burbank.

This marks the second year in a row that performing songwriting duo has been nominated for a WAMMIE honor by its music peers. CBS newsman Bob Schieffer, CBS newsman, was host of this year’s ceremonies.

“This is indeed a great honor to be recognized by our fellow musicians,” MacDonald said. “We were surrounded by all of these great musicians and we couldn’t believe it when they called our names.”

The songwriting duo’s music is a mixture of folk-rock-gospel-blues. Their latest CD release, “Radio Lane,” followed two other recordings, “Dream and Dare” and “Beyond What I Can See.”

They serve as the worship leaders for Church of the Word in Gainesville, Va., and perform in local coffeehouses, churches, festivals and benefits, as well as touring out of state.

While a student at Burbank High School, MacDonald was a member of the Madrigal Choir and sang with The Peachykeen Conspiracy, the first female barbershop quartet founded by then Burbank High School choir director Reginald Hall.

Other members included Andrea Robinson, whose vocal talents were used in the film, “Sister Act,” Cheryl Richards, Burbank resident and singer/bassist with the bluegrass group High Hills, and Nancy Hall, teacher and daughter-in-law of Reginald Hall.

MacDonald’s mother, Dorothy Au, has been a resident of Burbank for 60 years. MacDonald resides in Fairfax, Va., with her husband, Alan, and three children.

All of the Braeded Chord’s CDs are available at its website www.thebraededchord.com.