Buffalo Grove wins show choir competition

"Bring It" was the title of this year's Chicagoland Showcase at Hersey High School and bring it they did.

Area high school show choirs with instrumentalists sang, danced, stomped and shook the walls of Hersey High School in Arlington Heights for 12 hours on Saturday, competing in the 16th annual Chicagoland Showcase.

Thousands of parents and fans rotated in and out of the gym Saturday and for five hours on Friday as Hersey hosted 12 middle school and 19 high school show choirs from throughout the Midwest.

"Each year we are amazed how many local people who don't have students in high school or in show choir come back to see the competition, especially the finals," said Joann Langley, fine arts assistant at Hersey. The fast-paced short performances are a cross between musical theater and a Broadway review, she said.

Buffalo Grove High School's show choir Expressions received the Grand Champion trophy. Expressions, a group of 38 singer/dancers, a 12-piece band and a 4-member crew, changed costumes three times while performing several songs directed by Debora Utley and choreographed by Randy Sage.

Palatine High School's show choir Forte placed third runner up. It is comprised of 36 singer/dancers, a nine member combo, and a crew of eight directed by Steve Sivak and choreographed by Kasander McFamm.

Show choir groups were judged on vocals, choreography and instrumental by six judges, including Tim Heck, a former teacher for 12 years in Northwest Suburban High School District 214 and member of the Grammy award winning music department at Hersey, where he directed seven choirs.

Buffalo Grove also took first in Outstanding Vocal Sound Expressions and tied for first in Outstanding Choreography Expressions.

Soloists performed all day Saturday in a separate theater. Joe Lah with Buffalo Grove High School won Outstanding Male Soloist as he sang "Nobody Needs to Know." Ann Delaney with Palatine High School belted out jazzy notes while singing "Spring Cleaning" and Kayla Kennedy with Wheeling High School received a standing ovation from student fans for singing "If I Were a Bell."

More than 400 student and parent volunteers along with the music staff at Hersey worked over the two-day event, said Langley.

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Related links</h2> <ul class="moreWeb"> <li><a href="http://www.herseychoir.com/ChicagolandShowcase.htm">John Hersey High School choir home page</a></li> </ul> <h2>Photo Galleries</h2> <ul class="gallery"> <li><a href="/story/?id=277823">Photos: Chicagoland Showcase choral competition </a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>