With three competitions, a “Best Vocals” award, and one dazzling show under its belt, the Singers, the Vestavia Hills show choir, closes on another successful season of singing. This year, the show centered on the theme, “The Bachelor,” a fun concept which made for an energetic and entertaining performance.
Every performer knows that a show like this one doesn’t just happen: it takes a massive amount of work. President Elizabeth Moore and Vice-President Reagan Kessler reflect on how the show and the Singers have grown from day one. Kessler explains that at the end of every year, the show choir members pitch whatever ideas they might have for the theme. This year, the theme of The Bachelor was chosen by current senior, Mary Hogan Glenn. After the theme was decided upon, the choir directors, Mr. Stricklin and Mr. Burns, chose all of the songs, costumes, and effects to help create a lively show.
The preparation process for the show was no easy feat. It began in August with vocal rehearsals to learn all of the music. In September, there were two choreography weekends where the Singers worked with Ellie, the choreographer for their show. Moore describes, “These weekends are super exhausting. We’re rehearsing for hours all weekend. But they’re also the best way to really bond with the new group and get to know everyone!” Then, in November, the group holds two-hour rehearsals every Thursday night in preparation for the show. Kessler expresses that the process is fun, “especially once everything eventually comes together into a show for people to watch and enjoy.”
Throughout the season, the Singers competed at three competitions, which included the Capital City Classic, the Albertville Diamond Classic, and the Jasper Foothills Classic. Moore reveals that the most memorable performance for her was in Albertville, where the group was in the top five of the competition and made finals. She shares, “We were all so excited to be performing again, and I think our adrenaline made the show even better.” Some of her favorite memories she shares with her group are the moments spent waiting backstage for the performance to start. She describes the sweet scene: “We all walk around, give each other hugs, and wish everyone good luck.” For Kessler, the Jasper competition holds a special place in her heart. Being her and the seniors’ last show choir competition in high school, it was “an amazing way to end out the season.” Reminiscing on the year, she enjoyed the activities around the holidays that the social chairs planned for the group, such as going to a haunted house. She says that “being scared together was definitely a fun experience.”
Seeing that it is both Moore and Kessler’s senior year, the end of the show choir season is a bittersweet goodbye. They are in agreement that the thing they’ll miss most from show choir will be the people. Moore shares that she has made many of her friends through show choir, saying, “We’ve spent so much time together and I don’t want to leave them!” Kessler echoes her sentiments. With choir in the middle of her school day, she feels like “a huge weight has been lifted off [her] shoulders.” There’s no doubt that the Singers cherish the relationships they’ve built with each other.
Looking into the next school year, both Moore and Kessler implore anyone who is interested in show choir to audition. During the audition process, they advise everyone to do the best they can and to be confident in themselves. Kessler encourages, “You are talented and amazing and you’ve got this!” Although it may be intimidating, Moore assures that it is “so much fun.” Kessler exclaims that joining show choir was the best decision she made in high school, and Moore adds that within the department, “there’s a place for everyone.”
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