Transcript:
Joshua Carl: Ever watch the show “Glee” growing up? Well, there might be a sense of déjà vu when taking a look inside the Lincoln Southwest choir room, as their show choir ensembles ramp up preparation for competition season. Ev’rybody Wants to be a Cat during 3rd block, as varsity group, “Resonance,” explores Saturday Morning Cartoons with their “Tom and Jerry” themed show, with everything leading up to their first competition, three hours northeast in Waukee, Iowa.
Show choir is the marriage between singing and dancing, often accompanied with a live band, costumes and other stylistic elements – some may know it as a swing choir. Things here are a little different, however, as the man in charge of Southwest’s three ensembles, Mr. Andrew Jacobson, has since started a new job this year directing Omaha Westside’s choirs, and Ms. Leighton Ware has taken the reins as Southwest’s newest show choir director.
Ware’s story begins not unlike the students dancing here today, as she’s actually an alum of the program, and was taught by Jacobson before graduating in 2017. Since then, she has taken multiple jobs, at middle schools and high schools alike, most recently vacating a position at Wahoo High School, directing their choral and theatre programs. Now, she’s ready to take the legacy Jacobson left behind, and build it to new levels.
Ms. Leighton Ware, show choir director: I think the culture of the program…really helped me grow as a director. The biggest thing that we had when I was in high school and the biggest goal we had was just to be better every single time that we rehearsed. It wasn’t about winning, it wasn’t about where we placed, it was, “how can we be better every single time we walk in this room and how can we improve upon what we are doing to get to that next level?”
Carl: Resonance and “Ambience,” Southwest’s junior-varsity “prep” group, typically travel and compete together through five competitions, starting in January. This year, they’ll stop by Waukee, Standing Bear, Lincoln East, Elkhorn South and Norris high schools.
The tide has turned a bit when it comes to Southwest’s third and newest ensemble, “Emergence.” This group does not require an audition, and is the only option for freshmen interested in show choir. This year, they’ll compete in the same division as Ambience, marking a new chapter for the once exhibition-only group.
Ty Lorenz, freshman: We have rehearsals every Monday and Tuesday. Mondays we have until 5:30 (p.m.), and then Tuesdays we have until 5 (p.m.). Just being able to be with all my friends and just watching everyone else’s show, and it’ll just be really fun performing for everyone.
Carl: One thing will stay the same this season, as Emergence won’t be at every competition, only appearing at two of them: Standing Bear’s “The Summit” and Lincoln East’s “Spartan Spectacular.” Though, plans are in motion to shine a brighter spotlight on Emergence in the coming years.
Ware: We want to make sure there’s no…hostile environment between the two groups, because they will be competing in the same division this year. So that’s why we’re making Ambience a girls’ group, so that Emergence can go to all five competitions that Ambience and Resonance go to, but they (Emergence) will be the prep group, Ambience will be the girls’ group, so they won’t compete in the same division.
Carl: Even with all of these changes to the program, nothing’s out of the ordinary for these students.
Jeremiah Keele, senior: As an ensemble, the most important part about preparing for a competition is probably, in my opinion…having the right mindset going into it, and knowing that there’s a chance, and always a chance, that you can win or at least success in the areas that you want to succeed. As a lead character, it’s very similar in the fact that, although yes, I am a character and I have a lot of characterization choices that I have to make, ultimately…it’s just a little bit more stressful because you have to be ready to step into that role. One way that it’s really similar is we have the same exact rehearsal schedule and you’re no better than anyone else.
Carl: Resonance, Ambience and Emergence, along with their live band “Echo” and backstage crew “Shadow,” will debut their competition shows in the Southwest auditorium on Thursday, December 11th at 8 p.m., with an understudy solo showcase earlier in the evening at 6:30 p.m. Information about tickets will be announced on the LSW Vocal Music Instagram and Facebook pages. For The Hawk, this is Joshua Carl.
