Show choirs bring the energy in elaborate performances

Show choirs from Wheaton Warrenville South High School can do a lot with 15 minutes.

In quarter-hour routines, The Classics and Espirit, the all-female group, each perform melodies and mashups from about a dozen songs. They sing across genres and eras, seamlessly. There are fast costume changes and even faster footwork. Comedy and theatrics.

To watch these teenagers is to watch masters of efficiency.

"They just seem completely unflustered," says Wendy Larson, whose daughter is a soprano in Espirit.

Rehearsals begin months before the students take the stage at the Choral Classic, a two-day competition March 10 and 11 with an impressive roster of choirs from across the Midwest. As hosts, The Classics and Espirit will not contend for awards, but will stage exhibitions both days.

Cassidy Larson, a sophomore, and the rest of the Espirit choir will transform into secret agents in an elaborate production with a spy theme.

The number starts with the teens in sharp black jackets, heels and sequin pants. They set the tone with an a cappella rendition of the chorus from "Skyfall," Adele's Academy Award-winning title song from the James Bond film.

For the rest of the 15 minutes, the teens must keep up the endurance and switch into vibrant red and blue dresses offstage during a solo performance.

"It's more challenging than in years past, but a lot more enjoyable because there's a lot of fast movements that take some time to nail and get down," Cassidy says. "But once you get it down, it's so fun to do."

The Classics will become teen wolves to a soundtrack that features '80s classics: "Hungry Like The Wolf" by Duran Duran, "I Ran" by A Flock of Seagulls and "Can't Fight This Feeling Anymore" by REO Speedwagon. They must transition from ballad to catchy pop in a custom arrangement.

"It's never perfect when you first plan it out, and then you just continue to watch it and listen to it and try to make it all make sense," says Christopher Miller, one of two show choir directors at South. "There's no real formula other than trial and error."

All that preparation teaches students that there's always room for improvement, Miller says. Audiences can see the "dynamite" result at 9:30 p.m. March 10 and 11 p.m. March 11. Esprit will put on their prime-time show at 6 p.m. March 11.

"They're going to make a lot of noise," Miller says of the crowds. "The kids just feed off of that."

Nearly two dozen high school and seven middle school choirs also will work to impress judges from Nashville and Iowa. The panel scores performers on vocals and choreography and includes Linda McEachran Southard, the original director of Buffalo Grove High School's show choir.

But for the host choirs, they have to maintain their energy despite long hours behind-the-scenes helping other performers and their props set up in the school. Cassidy and her mom, Wendy, an assistant emcee, will arrive with other volunteers about 5:30 a.m. on the second day of the classic.

Parents of alumni also lend a hand, a testament to the tight-knit show choir community, Wendy Larson says.

"It's well-oiled chaos, but there are a lot of moving parts trying to keep everybody on time," she said.

And onstage, for their 15 minutes, the teens are "professionals" and show no signs of fatigue, Wendy Larson said.

"It's just remarkable how they keep going," she said.

If you go

What: 10th annual Choral Classic

When: 6 p.m. Friday and 7:30 a.m. Saturday, March 10-11

Where: Wheaton Warrenville South High School, 1983 Tiger Trail, Wheaton

Cost: $10 general admission; $8 for seniors and students with IDs; and free for kids younger than 5

Info: Cusd200.org