Waubonsie show choir wins national honors

As an eighth-grader visiting Waubonsie Valley High School, Andres Rivera peeked in on the show choir gearing up for a competition.

“They were all so passionate,” Rivera said. “I’ll always remember that.”

That’s when he decided he had to audition for the Aurora school’s Sound Check, one of the best show choirs in the nation. Although he had never trained as a singer or dancer, Rivera’s mind was made up.

Now a sophomore, Rivera reached his performing Everest and joined the 55-member Sound Check, selected as a top 12 finalist in Parade Magazine’s search for America’s favorite show choir. Happiness, Inc., the show choir from the John F. Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, claimed the top honor Monday.

What makes Sound Check — only 6 years old — a favorite?

Mark Myers credits “really high expectations and a lot of passion.”

As the choir’s director, it’s Myers job to bring out each student’s musical talent and creativity, whether they’ve had training or not. And it pays off: In 2009, the website Show Choir Rating System named Sound Check No. 1, and in 2010, No. 2, based on placements in regional competitions and subjective polling.

“For me, music is an intimate part of every person’s life,” Myers said. “Everyone has potential in music.”

Once a week, Sound Check rehearses for three hours, focusing on vocals, choreography and integrating singing with dancing. At Waubonsie, show choir is an extracurricular, so students do not prepare during class time. Competition season begins in January.

Myers insists it’s not about winning, but pushing students to perform at their absolute best. He expects sincere, genuine performers. And they tackle a wide variety of musical genres — from Beethoven to Madonna.

Senior and Sound Check performer Megan Callison admits she has “gotten stressed out sometimes.” But she fought back tears when describing the thrill of performing with her “closest friends” onstage.

“It was worth it,” Callison said. “Every single moment.”

The camaraderie at Waubonsie stretches to other schools. Myers said show choirs from Wheaton Warrenville South, Buffalo Grove and Eisenhower high schools will join Sound Check at Waubonsie for a December clinic when they will perform for each other.

“Music is first and foremost about sharing,” the director said.