 | | Photo by Sarah Johnson | | SHOWINGOFF— Members of the West show choir perform during their matinee in the auditorium on Jan. 19 during 4th block in the auditorium. |
With sparkling outfits and fancy footwork, the West High show choir takes their moves to the next level during their prime competition season, with competitions almost every weekend.
West has two show choirs: Harmonics, which is the prep show choir grades 9-12, and West Connection, the varsity show choir with grades 10-12. Each show choir has 32 students and 12 instrumentalists.
Each show choir also has five stage crew members, made up from members of the other show choir (for example, five Harmonics members are the pit crew for West Connection).
"They’re dressed in all black and always crawling around the floor and under the risers," said Kate Larson, Harmonics director. The stage crew is to be as hidden as possible while handing microphones to soloists or running the fog machine.
Each show choir performs five different songs each school year. This year, Harmonics performed "Smooth Criminal," "A Foggy Day In London Town," "If I Had It My Way," "Why We Like Spelling," and "Sir Duke."
West Connection performed "Have A Nice Day," "Save The Last Dance For Me," "Because We Believe," "My Strongest Suit," and "It’s Your Wedding Day."
 | | Photo by Tyler Lesthaeghe | |
"’It’s Your Wedding Day’ is the hardest song," said Karly Fangman, a junior in West Connection. "It’s really tiring and has to be the loudest and with most energy, but it’s also the last song we do so by then we’re tired."
"I think ‘If I Had It My Way’ is the hardest," said Laken Sheeder, a Harmonics sophomore. "It’s a slow ballad and we have to sing it a capella (without musical accompaniment)."
Practice makes perfect for the show choir, and they practice often. The show choirs practice ten hours a week during terms one and two when they have class, plus after school with their choreographer. Third and fourth term they meet after school and practice five hours a week plus time spent at competitions.
No matter how hard they practice, there will always be funny little mistakes that happen. "Sometimes people accidentally smack each other," said Larson.
Show choir also had a student matinee Jan. 19 during 4th block, with over 350 students in attendance. "We raised around $1,400," said Rosalie Dunnegan, the director of West Connection. "It’s all used to support the show choirs with the costumes and busing."
Dunnegan has been the head of the vocal department for six years. "(Each year) we’re getting better," she said. "I’ve been very proud of all of my show choirs’ many achievements." West Connection was the Grand Champions at a competition in Omaha, Nebraska, last year, and got into finals in four other competitions.
"Harmonics is stronger this year," said Larson.
Show choir auditions will be held around spring break.
|
