This past Saturday, the Chesterton High School Show Choirs headed to Waukegan, IL to the Genesee Theatre to compete at the FAME National Show Choir Finals. Show choirs from Indiana, New York, West Virginia, Mississippi and Ohio gathered to compete and be crowned National Champions.
The Chesterton High School groups received notice in March that they had qualified for this event, the second time in history for the Sandpipers and the first time ever for the Drifters. The moment choir director Kristin Morris told the kids was one not to be forgotten. “I tried to play it off casually at first and gathered them all around me, both groups together. I think they thought they were in trouble but when I told them the good news, the room erupted in cheers, tears and general excitement.” The groups quickly began fundraising efforts to make this goal a reality.
In preparation for National’s, the groups had a few added rehearsals and worked to really fine tune the details of their shows. Things like dynamics, phrasing, articulation and other concepts were focused on. Morris said, “It’s less about running through the motions and more about finding ways to enhance the details – to take the ordinary to extraordinary.”
Attention to detail at the competition paid off as the Chesterton High School Show Choirs represented their school, community and Northwest Indiana with pride. The Sandpipers were named 1st Runner-Up in the nation for mixed groups and earned the caption award for Best Costumes. The show choir band The Business was named Best Band, or as Miss Morris referred to them, Best Band in the Land. The Drifters swept their division earning caption awards for Best Show Design, Best Female Solo (Sophia Hruskocy), Best Female Stage Presence (Taylor Hisaw), Best Choreography, Best Vocals and were named Grand Champions of the Unisex Division in their Nationals debut.
The groups got to share in their success with many parents, friends and family who had come out to support them. Upon the announcement of the awards, the CHS students celebrated graciously and applauded for all groups that day. Senior Drifter and Dance Captain Hannah Scheller said, “When they announced the Drifters as Grand Champion I felt incredibly proud that our hard work had paid off. The girls really pushed themselves all year long to be the best they could.” Morris applauded all of the student leaders saying, “Our student leaders, dance captains and section leaders have been instrumental all year in helping these groups achieve their potential. We have great musicians in our show choir band as well. All of the pieces just fit together for us this year.”
The Chesterton Show Choirs are continuously thankful for the support they receive from the school administration, the community and Jake Weitzel, show choir photographer. The CHS Show Choirs will present their award winning show choirs and concert choirs to the community for one last time at the annual Spring Revue Concert on Friday, May 18 at 7:00 p.m. in the CHS Auditorium. Tickets will be sold at the door.