The Georgia Boy Choir is reflecting back on the moment it stood inside the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
On Monday, the iconic landmark was severely damaged in a fire. The blaze raged for more than 12 hours destroying its spire and its roof but sparing its twin medieval bell towers. There was also a frantic rescue effort to save the monument's "most precious treasures," including the relic revered as Jesus' Crown of Thorns, officials said Tuesday.
The Georgia Boy Choir posted on its Facebook page Monday that the news was heartbreaking and that they were praying for the first responders who worked to save this piece of history.
RELATED: Millennium Gate near Atlantic Station hoists French flag in solidarity after Notre Dame fire
“I was just dumbfounded," said David R. White, the artistic director and conductor for the Georgia Boy Choir. "I watched d the coverage. As I saw it I had to fight back tears.”
Notre Dame is a special place for the choir. The group traveled to Europe just last summer and got the chance to sing at the cathedral.
“Of the places we’ve been, Notre Dame obviously is one of the absolute most iconic and incredible places," White said.
He said the young boys were so astonished when they saw the architecture of the cathedral.
“We get to perform in quite a few cathedrals around the world and inevitably when you walk in there is this just awe and the boys looking like 'wow', they just can't believe the immensity and the overwhelming beauty.”
As a tribute, the choir posted a video clip of them singing 'Ave Maria' at Notre Dame.
"We pray that it may one day be restored," the post read.
White described the cathedral as a magical place, one that will always be in their memories.
“There was just this feeling of excitement, kind of like a sports team before a big game," he said.
To honor Notre Dame's legacy and to show others how much the landmark means to them, they are adding a special song to their 10-year anniversary program.
"I've decided we're going to add a piece of French music that we performed there we're gonna add it to the concert," White said. "Sort of as a tribute to Notre Dame and to the people of Paris and of France and the resilient spirit."
MORE COVERAGE ON NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL: