Show choirs finish season strong

Several Northwest suburban high school show choirs ended up their competitive season over the weekend on a high note.

Hersey High School's "Ladies First" took first place in the unisex division at Wheaton Warrenville South High School's Choral Classic Invitational on Saturday, while its mixed counterpart, "OnStage," took third runner-up.

Meantime, Prospect High School's mixed company and its "007: Music of James Bond" show earned first runner-up honors at the Homestead Classic Showcase competition in Fort Wayne, Ind.

"It was a big finish, their best of the season," says Prospect choral director Ken Whitney.

Prospect's all-female group, "Company" took second runner-up in the unisex division, powered by a lively rendition of the Dixie Chicks' "Long Time Gone," which featured an electric violin solo by Sarah Struebing of Arlington Heights.

Hersey's "OnStage" capped season where, for the first time, it earned grand champion titles at Milton, Wis., and just last week at Mundelein High School.

Both Hersey choirs fed off the energy provided by their combo, made up of the school's band students. In the girls' set, designed around the theme, "Roam Around the World," they hit their stride with the upbeat Latin number "Havana."

The mixed group nailed a jazz tune, "Feeling Good," recorded by Michael Buble, that opened with a solo by junior Beau Reddington, before girls in the ensemble came onstage to sing and dance.

"It features sophisticated dancing, set to its jazzy syncopated rhythm," said Sara Michael, choral director. "And it's got great horn charts. Our band sounds amazing on it."

Earlier this month, Wheaton Warrenville South's show choir, the Classics, won Hersey's Chicagoland Showcase, winning best vocals, best choreography, and best female soloist on their way to being named grand champions.

By extension, Michael said, as hosts at their own invitational they drew some of the best show choirs in the country.

"It was highly competitive, in part because it's at the end of the season," Michael said, "and everyone's on top of their game."