|
The sound of success
Published February 9, 2010
The first-ever Diamond Classic Invitational show choir competition in Albertville was a resounding success, according to organizers.
Twenty-nine show choirs from across the region took part in the two-day competition for middle and high school show choirs. The grand champion winner was Opelika Ovations.
“To see the entire Albertville community come together to support this event was priceless,” said show choir director Scott Rains. “Our kids give so much to this program. We will never know all of the far-reaching effects this city’s love and support will have on these students.
“The event ran all weekend with so few glitches that I am hard pressed to remember anything negative.”
Choir members were assigned to each out-of-town choir, assisting them in any way possible. More than 200 volunteers were on hand working in a myriad of capacities, from security, to parking direction, to costume assistance to serving meals in both the middle and high school cafeterias.
“Our students did an outstanding job as hosts and hostesses for the visiting schools. This was a great learning experience for the kids. They were put in charge of making sure that each visiting choir understood where to be at all times and had all of their needs taken care of.
“An opportunity of this magnitude has surely enhanced each of our students’ leadership experience.”
The entire community rallied around the competition, providing volunteers, food and other services for competitors. Churches provided vans and buses to act as shuttles from surrounding parking lots and churches.
“Even though it was quite chilly, the atmosphere was warm in the competition. People were very cooperative and encouraging. The weather was very cold, but the shuttle services from our local church made all the difference in the world,” said co-director Natasha Tidmore. “I even used those shuttles myself.”
Rains said the competition will continue next year, and several directors attending Saturday’s event have already committed to attend in 2011.
“The reactions of the participants have been very positive,” Tidmore said. “There were groups ready to sign up for next year as they were leaving.”
Middle schools competed Friday night and the high school choirs and soloists competed all day Saturday. The six show choir finalists were announced before a supper break at 7 p.m. Until then, Rains reported standing room only crowds packing the Fine Arts Center auditorium.
Following the finalists’ announcement, several choirs departed and the auditorium was cleared. Reconvening at 8 p.m., the finalists performed high-energy routines to resounding applause and standing ovations from the audience.
One by one, the show choirs returned to the auditorium following their performances. Between acts, students stood, danced, sang and chatted with fellow competitors.
“Things have gone really well all day,” said Rick Cederholm, a show choir dad and Albertville City School Board member. “It’s been packed all day and everyone seems to have been having a really good time.”
Groups revved up the crowds by singing a wide range of musical styles, including “The Boys are Back,” from the High School Musical soundtrack; “Blue Moon,” “Footloose,” and “Boom Boom Pow,” by the Black Eyed Peas.
Ed Cleveland, director of the Oak Mountain Con Brio group, sent congratulations to Diamond Classic organizers Sunday.
“Wow! You all were amazing. Every detail was thought of and you far exceeded our expectations of what a festival should be like,” Cleveland wrote in an e-mail. “I sincerely thank (Tidmore and Rains) for all you did to make my students so happy. I dare say that Oak Mountain was the happiest group of kids in Albertville on Saturday (and early Sunday!)”
Closed circuit televisions were installed in every classroom and cafeteria used by show choir participants, allowing everyone to see performances as they happened.
“The live feed ... was a huge hit. Every competition offers a live feed, but not in the classrooms generally so the kids really enjoyed this. Drew Campbell, our network support specialist, and Tyler May, the Fine Arts Center director, worked together to see that this was possible,” said event coordinator Kim Wilabay.
Wilabay said receipts were still being tallied early Monday, but initial estimates are the event raised $20,000 for the show choir program.
“Even though this is about the same amount made from our Sweets and Songs fundraiser, I’m pleased because I know that the entire county has reaped the rewards of the event. Our hotels were filled and even the choir that stayed in a Gadsden hotel made their way to Catfish Cabin on Saturday night,” she said.
“There’s not enough room to list all who helped make this event possible, but I’m thankful from the bottom of my heart for each person who contributed in any way. Overall, I’m pleased and relieved. It was a huge effort on the part of many dedicated people and I know that the amount of support from this community and these parents, the competition will continue to grow.
“Albertville is truly blessed to have this facility and such outstanding directors in the fine arts program.”
Diamond Classic Invitational winners
Opelika Ovations: grand champions
Homewood, The Network: first runner-up
South Jones, Company: second runner-up
Petal, Miss., Soundsations: third runner-up
Auburn Varsity Singers: fourth runner-up
Oak Mountain Con Brio: fifth runner-up
Best overall effects: Homewood, The Network
Best costumes and best choreography: Opelika Ovations
Best vocals: Petal Soundsations
Share |
Save |
Mail |
Print |
Letter
|
|
|
 |
|
Follow the Reporter on Twitter:
SMR News and
SMR Sports
|
