The music starts and the stage lights flicker on, a bead of sweat trickles down your neck as you wait in nervous anticipation for the dance to start.
Members of the Heart and Soul show choir have been gearing up for the upcoming 2023-2024 competition season, which starts this December. Since July, members of the group have been coming to rehearsal twice a week to prepare for the season. Members have also been spending time practicing the show at home.
“I’m just practicing all the dances, practicing them at home.” Said Freshman Madeline Fahrenkrog.
The members of Heart and Soul are all very excited for the upcoming season, and for a lot of students, competition season is their favorite time of the year.
“Competitions, like just the whole entire different vibe being in there.” Freshman Joceyln Watson said.
During the 2024 competition season, Heart and Soul is traveling to the state of Minnesota to perform, so members have been working hard to fundraise for the trip. The group held a Cookie Blast fundraiser back in August, an event where members sell their family and friends packages of cookie dough for show funds.
“I sold cookies and got fundraisers from my family.” Freshman Kenzie Conklen said.
The group is also holding a few more fundraisers as well, including a preview of this year’s show in early December.
Every year Heart and Soul holds a summer retreat, where group members come to the school and learn the choreography for that year’s show throughout the span of a week. During retreat week, members also have the opportunity to participate in group bonding activities at the end of each day. Many members have fond memories of retreat week bonding activities.
“From this year, probably when we did the slip and slide at Taylor’s house,” Conklen said. “I had a really big bruise on my stomach for like a week.”
Show Choir can be a great opportunity for plenty of students. Many members, both old and new, look back on their experiences with fondness.
“I’ve made a lot of great friends,” Fahrenkrog said. “It’s really been a great experience and helped me grow.”
The Heart and Soul show choir has also given members the opportunity to interact with students in different grades as well.
“It made me get very comfortable with a lot of upperclassmen so it was easier to start the school year,” Freshman Sarah Binkley said. “I just made a lot of friends.”
It looks like this year’s Heart and Soul show will be one for the books!