Focus

Focus, seems simple and insignificant right? Well the idea that focus is an "easy" part of show choir could never be more wrong. Every student in a choir needs to look at the conductor to know where the music is going, what the dynamic is, when the entrances are, when the cut offs are, and to know the musicality of the piece. If there is no focus in the classroom, there is no focus on the stage. When one student is not focused, their behavior creates a domino effect on the other students. Soon enough, the class becomes chaos, those who are trying to focus get frustrated, and nothing gets done. Not only is focus important in the classroom, but it is most definitely important on the stage. during a show choir set you have to focus on the music, the choreography, the spacing, and everything else all at once. You HAVE to focus. Unlike stand still choirs, in show choir you have no conductor; all of the performance depends on you.

A love of Music.... and Performing

To have a successful show choir, the members of the show choir MUST love music or dancing or performing. A love for all three would be essential, but a love for one or the other is acceptable. If a student, does not love music, does not love dance, and does not love performing, what are they doing in a show choir class??? Show choir is NOT a class that people should take just to get an "easy A." Show choir is not a difficult class to get good grades in if you do what you're supposed to, and chances are, if you love music, dance, and performing, you are going to do what you are supposed to. However, if music, dance, and performing are just not what you are into, then making yourself do the tasks required by show choir is going to be torture. People rarely have luke warm opinions of show choir; you either can't live without it, or it will drive you insane.

Vocals

            Though most people judge show choir on "the big picture", which is definitely important, show choir has it's root in something far more central... choir. I know, big shocker there. Seriously though, show choir without outstanding vocals is nothing more than a dance group. To remove the importance of vocals from the crazy show choir equation would be like removing the heart from a body; without it, nothing works. Therefore, vocals are probably the most important aspect of competitive show choir, not all the glitter and twirling people seem to get caught up in.
     
            Many groups in today's competitive circles have down graded the importance of vocals in a show choir. Groups tend to limit themselves to two-part harmonies and only truly emphasize vocals during their ballads. This is not wrong, but it is not impressive either. The choirs that truly stand out are those that not only tackle difficult choreography but take on difficult music as well. There is nothing more impressive than four-part harmony and dynamic choreography in a show. The two choirs that I feel do this incredibly well in chesterfield county are Cosby's Spotlight and Clover Hill's New Dimensions. These choirs consistently take home the most coveted award of the show choir world: Best Vocals.

           A few years ago, Bird's girl show choir, Reflections, won the best vocals award with their dynamic set which included songs from Mamma Mia to Phantom of the Opera. That same year they took home the title of Grand Champion. Mrs. Gregory was pertinent about making vocals a first priority in all of her choirs. She taught us to "sing like women" and would review measures of music countless times until we had achieved her signature round sound. All chesterfield county schools were aware of her excellent vocal style; it was her reputation and we were taught to carry it on. In our choirs today, I wish we would be further trained in vocals and that we could regain the mature sound that she required from us on a daily basis.

          Vocals are what wins competitions. Vocals are what makes a show choir a show choir. Vocals need to be further emphasized in the competition world again and we, as show choirs, need to refocus. This does not mean that we should downgrade any of our choreography, sets, or show aspects of show choir but we should grow with the sport and step it up a bit. Why not throw in six-part harmonies to the mix? We already accomplish the crazy and impractical. Let's do this sport one better and make it even harder. I mean, we have to grow somewhere. :)