NEW YORK, NY – November 25, 2025 – For the fifth consecutive year, NBC daytime television host and singer-songwriter, Kelly Clarkson, along with her band Y’all, joined NBC 4 New York and Telemundo 47 to select their annual “Star Choir” winner. Clarkson joined NBC 4 New York News Anchor Natalie Pasquarella and Telemundo 47 News Anchor Rosarina Breton to surprise this year’s winner, the GoldN’Blues student choir from Franklin High School in Somerset, NJ who was chosen and will perform “Joy to the World” during NBC’s broadcast of “Christmas in Rockefeller Center,” airing Wednesday, December 3 starting at 7pm.
“This year’s ‘Star Choir’ competition we saw a record number of entries from our community, but Franklin High School’s GoldN’Blues Choir stood out. They got us all into the holiday spirit right away and shined. We cannot wait to welcome them to 30 Rock next week for another memorable “Christmas in Rockefeller Center,” said Eric Lerner, President and General Manager of NBC 4 New York.
“The performance of the GoldN’Blues Choir will be a highlight of this year’s Christmas in Rockefeller Center broadcast. They have earned the title of ‘Star Choir,’ bringing great energy and enthusiasm into their performance and making their local community proud,” said Cristina Schwarz, President and General Manager of Telemundo 47.
This year’s competition received over 100 entries from local choirs within the New York City DMA, consisting of New York, New Jersey, Fairfield County, Connecticut and Pike County, Pennsylvania. Previous Star Choir winners include P.S. 103 in The Bronx (2021), P.S.14 in Corona, Queens (2022), High Tech High School of the Hudson County Schools of Technology (2023) and Neptune High School’s Scarlet Sound A Cappella Choir (2024).
Led by choir director Kiera Radvanski, a Franklin High School alumna and teacher with the district since 2015, Franklin High School’s GoldN’Blues are also known to their community as the Madrigals. As the GoldN’Blues, the group performs in the contemporary pop acapella style and as the Madrigals they perform in the traditional Renaissance Madrigal style of music. The Franklin High School Madrigals have been an important part of the Franklin Township community for decades, spreading holiday cheer at local events, visiting local senior living spaces and also performing at other district schools.
“I couldn’t be prouder of our incredible GoldN’Blues vocal group and the proud Warrior tradition they embody. Their performances are nothing short of inspiring. And behind their success is the extraordinary dedication of their advisor, Ms. Radvanski, an outstanding example of the passion and commitment our teachers bring to our students every single day,” said Dr. John A. Ravally, Franklin Township Public Schools Superintendent.
“Our students have worked extremely hard to prepare these audition pieces and we are feeling so proud and excited about this win. The ‘Star Choir’ Competition has been the perfect way to blend our two diverse styles and introduce our new unique sound to the public. For many of these students, this will be the first time they are seeing the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in-person and for them to get to perform under this iconic tree, in New York City, for a national audience, is truly beyond their wildest dreams,” said Kiera Radvanski, Franklin High School Choir Director.
To support the choir’s national performance, Franklin High School will receive a $5,000 donation from NBC 4 New York and Telemundo 47. The school and choir will also receive an additional $5,000 donation provided by Star Choir sponsor Bulova, who will also be gifting each student a watch.
NBC 4 New York is the Tri-State’s television home of the “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” airing Monday through Friday at 3 PM.
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