Two residents will be traveling to China and North Korea in April to perform in a 150 member all-male chorus and orchestra.

Thom Barker, of Mansfield Baptist Church, and Wayne Rikard, of Zion Baptist Church, will be performing with the chorus and orchestra, named Sons of Jubal, at the Spring Arts Festival in North Korea.

The Sons of Jubal will be one of the largest musical groups of Americans to enter into the country.

"This is a historic opportunity for the group, and I am privileged to be a part of this great musical endeavor," said Dr. Jon Duncan, conductor of the Sons of Jubal for last 10 years.

The trip is being coordinated by the Atlanta-based, non-profit organization, Global Resource Services, Inc., through its "Advocacy for the Arts" program.

The Sons of Jubal will be the fourth musical group GRS has sent to North Korea.

"We are excited that this opportunity has come after a decade and a half of experience in [North Korea]-United States musical exchanges," said Robert Springs, CEO and president of GRS.

The Sons of Jubal will also be performing brass choir, handbell choir and vocal ensemble in Beijing,
China.

The Sons of Jubal have preformed classic, Broadway, spiritual and contemporary selections at concert halls, churches and communities in the United States, Germany, France, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Costa Rica, Moldova, the Czech Republic and Russia.