(Photos courtsey Scott Archer)
Correspondent
On May 12 and 13, the Decatur Central High School show choir Expressions will celebrate its state-qualifying season with a show entitled “Springabration.”
“It’s a celebration of spring,” noted Choir Director Scott Archer. “We bring back things like competition and group things that we’ve done.”
One concert will be held May 12 at 7 p.m. and the other at 1 p.m. May 13 in the school’s auditorium.
Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for students – cash or card. Tickets will be available at the door and online. Go to dchschoirs.square.site to order tickets.
This is the completion of a busy year not only of competition, but building the DC choirs.
“We hold auditions,” Archer explained. “A lot of them come before spring break, but we take them as the year goes.
“Some dancers are not so sure about singing. We try to find a place for them somewhere, get different students involved.”
There are also different levels.
“We have a JV show choir,” Archer said. “They can dip their feet into it before joining a group like Expressions.
“We have two varsity show choirs that have 40 to 45 students. The JV choir has 35. We have some students come on from there. Show Choir is also a class. It’s not just after school.”
“For the Show group, they’re showing potential in these areas. They may not be superstar dancers or singers. The ones with the most potential advance to the big show.”
That big show also has a 17-person backup band, 11 of whom are students. They all advanced to the state finals.
“The leadership of this group stepped up, helped everyone to be what they could be,” Archer said.
“Whatever I don’t see, they can pick it up, help them and get back to me. They do a good job with constant reminders and reinforcement. That helped them get to state this year.”
As overseer of band and choir shows, Amanda Harrison has observed that growth.
“Our numbers are increasing year to year, which is great for the program and great for the kids,” she said.
The student buy-in is huge. Scott’s incredibly influential. They go the extra mile.”