By Mackenzie Arthur / staff writer
With the show choir competition season just around the corner, Crimson Heat and Diamond Sensations are working hard to be successful.
On Feb. 7, the show choirs will open the auditorium doors to debut their brand new competition shows at the annual Cabaret. Both competition shows are produced by choir director Micheal Dean and choreographed by Grace Pacheco.
Along with the competition shows, Cabaret will also feature different solos, duets and trios. This section of Cabaret is put on by the Crimson Heat and Diamond Sensations leadership team.
“Every year, seniors usually emcee for cabaret. We create a script once we figure out who will be performing. Leadership holds auditions and we base the solo performances on the auditions,” Diamond Sensations president senior Sophia Munson said.
Cabaret gives first year and veteran show choir members the opportunity to get excited for the upcoming competition season.
“It’s the most exciting because it’s our people and our home turf,” sophomore Crimson Heat member Abigale Harris.
Last year both choirs made it in the ISSMA State Show Choir finals, and this year they hope to do it again.
“This year, I would say our more tangible goal is making state. Last year, we [Diamonds] placed third and it would be amazing if we could exceed that or match it this year,” Munson said.
While placement and scores are an important aspect of competition, the show choirs hope to accomplish more than that.
“Another goal of ours is to create an environment where everyone has a role and a place to belong,” Munson said.
Personal goals are also visible in show choir members.
“My personal goals for this comp season are just to help Crimson and I as a whole, show that we are able to compete with everybody and get high placing at every competition. The most important [thing is to] just to have fun while doing that,” senior Crimson Heat member Luke McCloud said.
Both groups hope to show off their growth and leave the crowd in awe.
“I am most looking forward to performing our show for different audiences throughout the season. I’m excited to be able to show others the hard work we’ve put in over the past few months,” senior Crimson Heat vocal captain Marley Ragsdale said.
Both show choirs consist of different student leaders who all contribute to the success of the groups.
“Diamonds vocal captains and dance captains are always available to help out and teach members one on one which is an amazing example showcasing the care and value everyone has for each other,” Munson said.
An important aspect of show choir leadership is the dance captains. Diamond Sensations dance captains junior Shelbie Rinker and sophomores Alyvia Spencer and Elizabeth Hunter work together to make sure Diamonds are understanding their choreography.
“Me, Oliva, and Shelby will get together before practices and we’ll just make sure we go over counts and detail pieces that way we are prepared for questions and any confusion that might arise when it comes to rehearsal. We really try to make sure we can break everything down and give everyone a good understanding, to feel confident, and just feel like they know their stuff,” Hunter said.
Crimson Heat dance captains seniors Jude Gibbs and Madeline Flint along with junior Samantha Eyerman dedicate their time to helping peers with refining their choreography.
“Typically people will struggle and then they might text us or I might notice it from a video or in class. I’ll work with them and I’ll find a time I can meet with them during a homeroom or after school. We’ll go to a practice room and really work to break each move down step by step and count by count. We start slow and then we slowly build up to half tempo and full speed so that way we can really make sure that people don’t feel like we don’t care and also to make sure they get every move,” Flint said.
The show choir’s competition season will officially kick off on Feb. 14 at Plainfield High School. From there they will be on the road until March 7, when NPHS choirs will host their annual “Clash of the Choirs.”
With goals, practice and hard work members of Crimson Heat and Diamond Sensations are prepared for their upcoming season.
“Once comp season starts, Saturdays are a great time to bond with each other and be able to cherish the friendships we’ve made throughout the year,” Munson said.
