Show choirs to compete in Choral Classic Invitational

Wheaton Warrenville South High School's eighth annual Choral Classic Invitational will draw students from 22 middle schools and high schools next weekend from six states to compete in show choir and vocal performance competitions.

Approximately 1,200 students will appear onstage Friday and Saturday, March 13 and 14. More than 3,500 people will be in attendance, making it one of the highest attended performance events in the school's history. The Choral Classic is recognized as one of the premier show choir events in the country.

The competing show choirs are judged on visuals as well as vocal skills. Visually, judges will score the groups on choreography, costuming, pacing and flow, facial communication and poise. Vocally, judges will look for excellence in tone quality, diction, communication of lyrics and interpretation.

The finals will take place Saturday evening and will feature the top six groups chosen by the judges. The winner of the final round will be named Grand Champion.

Wheaton Warrenville's The Classics show choir received top honors at its first two performances this year, including best band, best male performer and first runner up.

In Troy, Missouri, the choir won best diction, best vocals, best costumes, best choreography, best male performer, best opener and closer, and grand champions.

Meanwhile, the school's Esprit women's show choir won first-place honors in its division at all three competitions this season.

Edison Middle School's Electric Youth begins the competition at 6 p.m. Friday, with The Classics performing at 9:20 p.m. and the presentation of middle school awards after. Saturday's competition starts at 9:05 a.m. with Edison's Electric Youth performing in exhibition at 11:10 a.m., Esprit performing at 4:55 p.m. and The Classics performing at 9:30 p.m., followed by the final awards presentation.

Tickets for Friday night are $10; $8 for senior citizens and students with an ID. All-access tickets for both Friday and Saturday are $20. Tickets for Saturday are $20, $15 for senior citizens and students with ID. Children younger than 5 are free.

For information, contact Kenna Anderson at (630) 209-5710 or Kenna1@comcast.net.