A day with the “Images”: Morgantown High School show choir unveiled
The bell rings, first block is over. The buzzing sound sends students scurrying into Morgantown High School’s wide and hollow hallways. Some hurry to pick up grab-and-go lunch, while others use the ten-minute break before their next class to catch up on gossip with friends.
For the “Images,” those in the Morgantown High School Show Choir, the sound of that bell means one thing… show time.
Second block is show choir rehearsal, and students spend their free time changing into practice clothes and stretching.
This is the last full practice before the competition in St. Clairsville, so today is bound to be intense.
The students line up on the old wooden stage to begin their stretching regimen in unison. The combination of the high-intensity movements and heat from the lights has caused everyone to break a slight sweat.
Stretching comes to an end and the students’ transition into their vocal exercise. “Warming up our voices…ready, set, let’s go… do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, sol, fa, mi, re do,” gradually builds in volume as the students elevate their voices in unison.
Within three minutes, the “Images” have taken their starting positions on the stage .The music fades in, and the run-through is in full effect. The 26 high school students transform into top-notch performers almost instantly.
Show choir is more than just a class for the “Images;” it is a dominant part of their lives, and they take it very seriously.
In existence since the early 80’s, the MHS show choir has won over 100 titles, receiving national attention for their high-energy competitions. The most noted incidence was in 2006 when MTV shot a pilot for a reality show entitled ”Show Choir.”
The series was set to premiere in 2007, but unfortunately never aired. It is still rumored that the failed MTV show was the inspiration for the hit FOX show '”Glee.''
Junior show choir member Carleigh Walker said no one appreciated all the work that goes into show choir until “Images” started winning and MTV showed up.
”I was not in high school yet, but I remember that after the MTV thing, everyone wanted to be in show choir, then once ‘Glee’ came on it was crazy!” Walker said.
Aside from semi-famous name of the group, show choir is very similar to athletic programs in some ways, but significantly different in others.
Being an “Image” is a full time, year-round commitment, so there is no off season.
Contrary to popular belief, show choir is not a group for those with no athletic or physical ability. Students must be physically fit with endurance levels that will allow them to withstand hours of strenuous dancing and singing routines.
Those who participate in show choir and athletics can attest to how hard being an “Image” really is.
Not only do they have to prioritize their time very carefully, but many feel they are made to choose between choir and other activities, especially sports.
Sophomore Taylor Ortiz is a first year choir member, and second year football player and wrestler. He was very open about how some of his fellow teammates view show choir and his commitment to it.
”When you are a male athlete, you are expected to stay away from anything that makes you appear weak.” Ortiz said.”
The pressure and exclusion that can occur in other high school activities are two of the main things drawing students to show choir every year.
More than 40 students audition for “Images” each school year. According to www.showchoir.com, show choir has become one of the most popular non-athletic extracurricular activities in high schools all over the country.
”Images” head coach Brent Nicholas, who has been with the choir five years, said many students join because they need a place to belong.
”We have a very diverse group of student: athletes, egg heads and thespians; but all of them are just regular kids who want somewhere to belong.” Nicholas said.
The students who make up the MHS show choir might be regular kids, but they are definitely not ordinary.
For the “Images,” their second period class is a time in the middle of the day when they can transform and escape from the mundane, yet dramatic life that is high school, and immerse themselves in something they love to do.
That is not a privilege many high school kids get during the school day.
From 9:20-11:30 a.m., they can sing, dance and socialize with peers who not only have a shared interest, but a passion in common. For them, their peers in show choir are not just classmates, they are family.
Senior dance captain Ashley Koon feels show choir was one of the best decisions she has made in high school.
”I am so happy that the people in show choir crossed my path, we probably wouldn’t have been friends had I not joined, but I am so glad I did.” Koons said.
Junior Max Gould is a second year show choir students and he attributes his relationship with his best friend Jeremy, who is the senior male dance captain, to show choir.
”Before show choir, me and Jeremy were arch enemies…now we are best friends; show choir definitely brought us together.” Gould said.
Coach Nicholas is very proud of his team and the family they’ve built. “They are very close; they fight and make up like a family,” Nicholas said.
After the second block bell rings, the students stop their routine, and leave the stage. Hustling to gather their bags and books, they talk amongst themselves about the sleepover at Ashley’s and the game on Friday.
The lights on the stage shut off, and the room still hums with the sound of the instruments.
The auditorium is now just and empty room, and the students have transformed back into high school kids. That is, until second period tomorrow when both will morph back into something spectacular.