Amid fanfare, formal proceedings and debate, an Auburn Mountainview High School a cappella trio opened the 2013 legislative in song on Monday, while an Auburn High a cappella quartet sang the National Anthem prior to Gov. Chris Gregoire’s final state of the state address on Tuesday.

The Auburn Mountainview trio — Nicole Costa, Brandon Henderson and Taylor Liabraaten — along with music instructor Karen Frerichs were guests of Sen. Joe Fain (R-Auburn). The students performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” in the Senate chamber as lawmakers convened for their annual meeting.

Fain first heard the student-singers perform at a community scholarship event last year and extended the invitation to open up the 2013 legislative session this past summer.

“The students were incredible ambassadors for the Auburn School District; in addition to impressing me yet again with their performance, I heard a great number of compliments from my colleagues, who expressed their enjoyment,” Fain said. “I’m glad the group was able to share its immense talent with such a wide audience and show the entire state what South King County has to offer.”

Frerichs added:“It was a joy to witness the reactions of these students even just visiting the state Capitol, let alone performing. Being able to demonstrate the hard work they’ve put in, on such a stage, is something they’ll remember forever.

“Opportunities like this will hopefully inspire other students to continue working hard in our music classes as well as the rest of their studies.”

Gregoire invited the Auburn quartet — Marcoantonio Garcia, Ethan Hinze, Linda Karout and Morgan Warren — to lead off her final state of the state address at Olympia.

“It was an honor that students from Auburn were selected to sing at back-to-back events in Olympia,” said Auburn choir instructor Kandy Gilbert, “Over 40 students auditioned for the quartet.”

Last year Auburn choir students performed at the Western Governors’ Association annual meeting.