Annual Show Choir Invitational held on Saturday in Mt. Pleasant was a huge success

The Mt. Pleasant High School was host to the 28th Annual Show Choir Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 5. Performers from 18 different schools were on hand to take the stage in the all-day event.

“It was just a big day from beginning to end,” said Mt. Pleasant High School Vocal Director Marlene DePriest. “We had fantastic schools that showed up and the groups were just incredible to watch. The judges were amazing and just did a great job.”

There were schools that were present from Illinois and Missouri, as well as a number of Iowa schools that took part in the competition.

The first place winners were the Central Singers, Inc. from Davenport Central. Second place went to The Ambassadors from Cedar Rapids Prairie. Third place was given to Entourage from Naperville North, Naperville, Illinois. Fourth place was issued to the Good Time Company from Iowa City West. Fifth place went to Xhilaration from Cedar Rapids Xavier, and Sixth place was issued to River City Revue from Hannibal, Missouri.

Davenport Central swept the Caption Awards for Outstanding Choreography, Outstanding Band and Outstanding Vocals.

Many of the performers, friends and family were present for the evening performances. These performances were the top six scoring schools that performed their routines once more on Saturday evening for the Choir Invitational title.

“I’m from Davenport Central High School,” Paden Pierre on Saturday evening. “Central Singers are one of the groups that is performing this evening. It’s great watching all of the groups perform.”

“I am with Entourage with Naperville North,” said Preston Pratali from the evening. “It’s been a bit overwhelming, competing again since we did not do this last year. It’s been kinda nostalgic being able to do this once again.”

Many parents spent the whole day at the event watching not only their sons and daughters, but others that were performing throughout the day.

“It’s been very entertaining watching the groups,” said Victoria Taganeca from Hannibal, Missouri. “My son is performing in the finals this evening, it’s his third year doing this. I just love watching the groups perform.”

The volunteers for the event came in at 6 a.m. to help cook and set up for the event. “The volunteers that we had were amazing,” said DePriest. “They got here early and many were here until 1:30 p.m. helping to tear down. They were fantastic.”

“I came in earlier today to volunteer,” said Daniel Liechty on Saturday night. “I decided to hang around to hear the Mt. Pleasant Middle School perform. Now I want to see what the rest of the schools have to offer. I’ve had a great day watching everyone, I’ve just been blown away, and the groups are just amazing.”

There were more schools at the event than in previous years. DePriest said that the number of schools involved made for a long day, but that she was grateful to be able to have the event take place this year at all due to COVID-19 restrictions from last year. “Any time that we can get back to a normal type of event is fantastic,” said DePriest. “A lot of schools were kinda hungry to get back out there and perform.”

“I have been here at the performance since 7:30 this morning,” said Johnathan Meyers at the event. “I’m an alumni for the Mt. Pleasant InMotion show choir. Show choir is one of my favorites, it really made the high school experience for me. So I always come back to support the group. I’m glad that it is a normal show choir season this year, its great seeing all of the groups performing together.”

“I went to Ft. Madison, graduated from there,” said Kayla Smith on Saturday evening. “I came because I have a friend, Kyleigh Adams that is singing in the In Motion group. I drove here with no heat just to hear the Ft. Madison group, and my friend, sing.”

I“’m with the Mt. Pleasant Chain Reaction Show Choir,” said Kaleb Kunz on Saturday night. “Our performance went really well. I really enjoyed doing it, and the other schools did really well too. I plan on singing in the choir in the high school next year.”

Contact Michelle Hillestad at michelle.hillestad@southeastiowaunion.com