Show choir seeks 'heavenly win'
By Joanne Fox Journal staff writer | Posted: Friday, February 08, 2008
Collin O'Connor sings a solo as other members of the East High Headliners show choir rehearse in the background at East's auditorium. (Staff photo by Jerry Mennenga)
A Sioux City high school choir that won five grand championships in four states in 2007 alone is looking to earn a "heavenly" win.
The East High Headliners, in addition to the school's two concert choirs, are headed to the "City of Angels" -- Los Angeles -- this month to take part in a national competition called Fame Events.
"We've established a practice of taking a major trip every three years so the kids have an opportunity to travel and broaden their horizons," said Heath Weber, director of choral activities.
Three years ago the vocalists traveled to Chicago and Weber admitted that Hawaii was considered this year.
"The parents thought that might be a bit much and I had to agree," he said with a chuckle. "If we had been going for a longer time, it might be feasible, but not this time."
L.A. turned out to be the destination for several reasons. Weber had judged competitions for Fame Events and has a friend at Azusa Pacific University who came to Sioux City to judge a competition; friends and family of the show choir singers had connections in the area; and there was the possibility of working with a composer of American choral music.
"We are trying to get a workshop with Eric Whitacre, an accomplished composer and conductor," said Weber. "That's still in process but the opportunity to compete and see a whole new world on the West Coast will be a great opportunity for the students."
Both concert choirs, as well as the show choir will compete and have the chance to capture a number of awards, Weber said. Among those include Best Choreography, Best Male Tone, Best Female Tone, Best Soloist and the coveted Best of Show.
The repertoire for the Chamber Choir includes two pieces: Bruckner's "Ave Maria" and Whitacre's "With a Lilly in her Hand." The Concert Choir will perform "Shout Glory!" by Byron Smith, "Tres Cantos" by Marcos Leite and "The Pasture" by Z. Randall Stroope.
The Headliners will take to the stage with "More of the Same/One Night Only," "Blue Skies," "He's My Son," "There's Got To Be Something Better Than This," "Nicest Kids in Town" and close with "60's Dance Party Gone Wild."
"It's been absolutely invigorating to prepare for this," Weber said. "Sure, there's stress, but I watch the kids do such great things and I ask myself, 'How can I not want to give it my all as well?'"
Of the 350 students involved in vocal music, 100 will fly out of Sioux City on a chartered flight -- with 36 adults -- on Feb. 28 and return on March 4.
"It cost a bit more, but last year the dance team couldn't leave Sioux City for a competition in San Antonio because of a snowstorm," Weber explained. "That was my fear so that's the reason we decided to charter a plane."
There's been numerous fund-raisers to cover the $1,100 per person cost of the trip which covers airfare, hotel accommodations and the fee for the competition, Weber said.
"We started raising money last spring and had car washes and curb paintings," he said. "And I think we sold everything from frozen foods to pies to coupon books."
The students will perform all day on Feb. 29, but Weber said he has no superstition about the leap year performance.
"I was born on the 13th," he said with laugh, then added, "But just in case, don't make me walk under a ladder before we leave."
Check 'em out
If you're interested in seeing the Headliners perform, they are in competition at Okoboji High School on Feb. 9 Millard (Neb.) West High School on Feb. 23.
Rehearsals are also open to the public, from 7:30 to 10 p.m., every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday on the stage of the East High auditorium
The East High Headliners, in addition to the school's two concert choirs, are headed to the "City of Angels" -- Los Angeles -- this month to take part in a national competition called Fame Events.
"We've established a practice of taking a major trip every three years so the kids have an opportunity to travel and broaden their horizons," said Heath Weber, director of choral activities.
Three years ago the vocalists traveled to Chicago and Weber admitted that Hawaii was considered this year.
"The parents thought that might be a bit much and I had to agree," he said with a chuckle. "If we had been going for a longer time, it might be feasible, but not this time."
L.A. turned out to be the destination for several reasons. Weber had judged competitions for Fame Events and has a friend at Azusa Pacific University who came to Sioux City to judge a competition; friends and family of the show choir singers had connections in the area; and there was the possibility of working with a composer of American choral music.
"We are trying to get a workshop with Eric Whitacre, an accomplished composer and conductor," said Weber. "That's still in process but the opportunity to compete and see a whole new world on the West Coast will be a great opportunity for the students."
Both concert choirs, as well as the show choir will compete and have the chance to capture a number of awards, Weber said. Among those include Best Choreography, Best Male Tone, Best Female Tone, Best Soloist and the coveted Best of Show.
The repertoire for the Chamber Choir includes two pieces: Bruckner's "Ave Maria" and Whitacre's "With a Lilly in her Hand." The Concert Choir will perform "Shout Glory!" by Byron Smith, "Tres Cantos" by Marcos Leite and "The Pasture" by Z. Randall Stroope.
The Headliners will take to the stage with "More of the Same/One Night Only," "Blue Skies," "He's My Son," "There's Got To Be Something Better Than This," "Nicest Kids in Town" and close with "60's Dance Party Gone Wild."
"It's been absolutely invigorating to prepare for this," Weber said. "Sure, there's stress, but I watch the kids do such great things and I ask myself, 'How can I not want to give it my all as well?'"
Of the 350 students involved in vocal music, 100 will fly out of Sioux City on a chartered flight -- with 36 adults -- on Feb. 28 and return on March 4.
"It cost a bit more, but last year the dance team couldn't leave Sioux City for a competition in San Antonio because of a snowstorm," Weber explained. "That was my fear so that's the reason we decided to charter a plane."
There's been numerous fund-raisers to cover the $1,100 per person cost of the trip which covers airfare, hotel accommodations and the fee for the competition, Weber said.
"We started raising money last spring and had car washes and curb paintings," he said. "And I think we sold everything from frozen foods to pies to coupon books."
The students will perform all day on Feb. 29, but Weber said he has no superstition about the leap year performance.
"I was born on the 13th," he said with laugh, then added, "But just in case, don't make me walk under a ladder before we leave."
Check 'em out
If you're interested in seeing the Headliners perform, they are in competition at Okoboji High School on Feb. 9 Millard (Neb.) West High School on Feb. 23.
Rehearsals are also open to the public, from 7:30 to 10 p.m., every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday on the stage of the East High auditorium
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