Welcome to show choir — Purple Pizzazz style.
Middletown High School’s show choir is preparing for a March 13 competition in Hanover, Ind. Music from their program “Boogie Shoes” includes the 1970s classic that inspired the show, doo-wop tunes from the ’50s, a couple of early ’80s dance hits and even a couple of ballads from the late ’90s and 2000s. Even though most of the tunes are from a time well before these students were born, they don’t seem to mind.
The hours are long and the work is repetitive, but the students who auditioned to earn a coveted spot in the Purple Pizzazz Show Choir smile despite having to “go back and do it again” to get the sound and moves just right for the competition show, which lasts approximately 17 minutes without a break and requires two costume changes.
“Show choir is a lot like running a race,” said junior Sara Minge, 17. “You can’t just start with a 5K race. It takes time and a lot of practice to build your endurance and do it well.”
Marsha Minge is in her ninth year as choir director and said the students in Purple Pizzazz are among the top in the school.
“I think their grade point average is around 3.5,” she said. “They are a great group of kids.”
Kyle Schwarber, a 16-year-old junior, doesn’t look like the stereotypical “choir kid.” Times and perceptions have changed, he said.
“I’m on the football team and three of my teammates sing,” Schwarber said. “The cool kids are the ones who sing now.”
The group’s diversity is something Purple Pizzazz takes pride in.
“We’re a melting pot of this school,” said Madeline Fening, an 18-year-old senior. “That’s what makes it special.”
Purple Pizzazz will present a free concert for the community at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 11, at the MHS auditorium.
Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2551 or mrossiter@coxohio.com.
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