Hours. You spend hours working and cleaning it until it reaches perfection. Your sweat becomes tears and you think, it can’t get any worse than this. And then it gets changed. And then you do it again. It’s exhausting. Sometimes it doesn’t even seem worth it. But then you’re on stage. And in that moment, suddenly the exhaustion goes away. Suddenly all you’re left with is your racing heart and the crowd. Suddenly, you’re flying. 

Born to Fly/Don’t You Worry Child is one of the five songs of show choir Heart and Soul’s Captain Marvel-themed performance this year. The group has had great additions, as well as a couple losses. 

There were several new additions to the show this season, including the induction of freshman into the group. 

“I thought the group was going to get worse. I was kind of scared.” said senior Faith Richard. “But in the end, it all ended up ok.” 

But after this season, Heart and Soul will also be losing quite a lot as well. With the batch of seniors and other members graduating from the group, Heart and Soul will be that much smaller next season. 

“I’ve got too many AP classes and academy, plus personal stress,” said sophomore Samantha Weaver. “If I didn’t have that personal stress, I would have definitely done show choir. It’s like a second family.” 

Practice was especially hard on some of these members, 

“It tends to be when we start cleaning [choreography]. I get really irritated,” said Richard. “I get irritated with L’Heureux, I get irritated with everyone, I get irritated with myself. But in the end, I have to realize its rehearsal and it’s only going to make me better.” 

But those hard practices paid off. Heart and Soul swept competition after competition, even making to finals once. 

“It was invigorating,” said Richard. “It felt worth all our hard work.” 

But it wasn’t all good times. Heart and Soul’s members faced many injuries this year that prevented them from performing in all the competitions. 

“There have been a lot of injuries,” said sophomore Cecelia Dawson. “This year in particular, two people have gotten separate concussions. I know of a lot of sprained ankles, injured knees, and one of my friends dislocated her hip.” 

With all the people leaving this season, they wanted to leave a little advice for the new incoming members. 

“Enjoy it as much as you can,” said Weaver. “This is supposed to be a positive environment. We want this to be special for everyone.” 

So, no matter if they stay or go, Heart and Soul will always have that moment. They will always have their beating heart and the screams of the crowd in their ears. They will always be able to fly. 

“You get to hang out with your friends for almost 20 hours some days, you get to see other groups, and encourage people,” said Weaver. “It’s a really great place to be because no matter who you are, you can be yourself.”