Hersey show choir competition draws thousands

More than 30 of the finest show choirs in the Midwest competed Friday and Saturday at John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights in the 22nd annual Chicagoland Showcase.

On Saturday, more than 1,000 high school singers and dancers competed for the Grand Champion Trophy, which was to be awarded late in the evening. On Friday evening, choirs and middle school groups from throughout the Midwest competed.

Hersey's choir director, Sara Michael, (whose show choir, Onstage, as the host team didn't compete this weekened) said that more than 3,500 people — including singers, crew members and spectators — attended the two-day event.

“This particular event is one of the most competitive show choir competitions in Chicagoland,” Michael said.

Each group has a limited amount of time to perform in front of the judges, according to Chuck Henson, who has been emceeing the event for 20 years. “Each choir group that performs get 25 minutes of stage time that includes set up, teardown and performance,” said Henson, who comes up each year from his home in St. Petersburg, Florida, just for this event.

Last year, Buffalo Grove High School's Expressions show choir won the top title as grand champion. Turquoise trophies went to two other big winners Saturday: Prospect High School, in the unisex division, and Batavia High School, in the festival division.