As students are gearing up for final exams, Southwest’s show choir suite is in full swing. All three groups have started rehearsals for their upcoming competition season, that spans from January to February 2025, and are preparing for their preseason premiere on Thursday, Dec 12, 2024.
This year, for the first time, all groups have a theme. In past years, some groups had a general playlist of music, but this year, every group follows a structure and story. Resonance, Southwest’s varsity group with over 40 performers, is rehearsing their Grinch-themed show. Ambience, their junior varsity group, is preparing a show dedicated to country music, with songs ranging from Smash Mouth’s “All Star” to Beyoncé’s “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM.”
Southwest’s third group, Emergence, is a non-audition group that doesn’t compete, but still performs at some competitions under the “festival” category. This means they aren’t eligible for most awards or final rankings. This year, Emergence is showcasing their Frozen-themed show.
“Emergence is for anyone who wants to be involved in show choir, but also just to dip in the water to figure out if show choir is for them or not,” show choir director Mr. Andrew Jacobson said. “For the most part, it’s been a really great addition to our vocal music program.”
Emergence doesn’t travel to all the competitions Resonance and Ambience do, but they do perform at two competitions, at Standing Bear and Lincoln Northwest High Schools. In previous years, they have been scored at the NCDA festival at Omaha Skutt High School.
Resonance and Ambience travel and compete together, with Resonance competing in the “open” category and Ambience competing in the “prep” category. Both are eligible for finals.
“Rehearsals all look very similar, depending on if the group has received choreography or not,” Jacobson said. “If there’s no choreography involved, the rehearsal is usually led by the vocal director, who just teaches vocals to make sure that they know all their parts. If choreography has been taught, a plan is set out between the dance captains and the director to break down dance moves so students are proficient at a very high level.”
This year, Resonance and Ambience will compete at five competitions, and will host their own at the annual “Southwest Showdown” in February.
“My favorite part of competing is forgetting about everything in my own personal life and just being able to play someone else on stage,” senior Tyler Stover, who plays the Grinch in Resonance’s show, said. “When we win, it’s fun. My favorite part about the competitions themselves is getting to support other groups, especially other groups from our school.”
All show choirs will premiere their competition shows alongside their live band, Echo, on Thursday, Dec. 12, at 8:30 p.m. An understudy performance with alternate soloists will be showcased the same day at 6:00 p.m. More information about Southwest’s show choirs are available at their website.
