Mt. Pleasant High School to host show choir invitational

MT. PLEASANT- Saturday, Feb. 7 brings the 32nd Music in Motion Show Choir Invitational. At this event, 21 youth show choirs from across Missouri and Iowa will perform for seven judges, in the name of glory and the pursuit of the craft.

Mt. Pleasant will field two show choirs- InMotion of Mt. Pleasant Community High School, and Chain Reaction, of the Mt. Pleasant Community Middle School.

From the program Guide:

Chain Reaction is an auditioned group of 30 singers from Mt. Pleasant Middle School. They will be performing at various home events and will compete at Pella’s Dutch Masters show choir competition and Central Lee’s Central Connections show choir competition. Under the direction of Brooke Smith with accompaniment by Mr. Matt Mitchell, Swaylin Henderson,and Clark Peterson. Choreographed by Rylie Copeman,Saige Burchett, & Lauryn Willham. Their theme this year is Don’t apologize for who you are!

Commencing at 6 p.m., the group plans to perform these songs:

Permission to Dance

Cameron Martin & Xander Phelps, soloists

Light of a Clear Blue Morning

TBD, soloist

Born to Be Brave

From the Program Guide:

InMotion is an auditioned group of 52 singers/dancers with 18 instrumentalists and 2 crew members. This year they perform at Benton, Keokuk, Central Lee, and Ft. Madison, as well as numerous times at home and community events. InMotion is always honored to host the Music in Motion Show Choir Invitational, and will put on their 32nd annual competition this season.

This year’s show, Storytellers: The Legacy Show, incorporates songs from InMotion past, as well as two new songs to InMotion that signify each new iteration of the group blazing their own trail and solidifying their place in the InMotion legacy, and telling every great story they can along the way. Under the direction of Makenzie Kauffman-Ho, with band preparation by Micah Peck, choreographed by Ben Schrank and L.D. Kidd, and with music by Kevin Duggan, Jim DePriest, and Kent Keating, InMotion wishes all participants the best of luck today and throughout their season. We hope you enjoy Storytellers: The Legacy Show!

Commencing at 10 p.m., they will perform these songs:

Every Story Is A Love Story/Fortune Favors the Brave

Caleb Reyes, Izzy Zihlman, Jeryn Rich soloists

The Yellow Brick Road Song

Light Saige Burchett, Isaiah Denning, soloists

Freddie Said/Big Noise from Winnetka

Ethan Peck, Ajay Wagner, Tray Schuster, soloists

It’s My Turn Now/Push It

Lauryn Willham, soloist

The first performance begins at 8 a.m., with the festival running all day. For those wishing only to see Mt. Pleasant’s choirs, Chain Reaction comes on at 6 p.m., and InMotion at 10:15 p.m.. After InMotion comes the awards ceremony, and the end of the show.

In the Program Directory, John Henriksen, outgoing Superintendent of Mt. Pleasant Community School District, thanked the community and sponsors for their support. But, he also speaks directly to the performing students.

“Thank you for your dedication, your discipline, and the joy you bring to the stage,” said Henriksen. “Your performances are at the heart of this event, and we are proud of the hard work and commitment you demonstrate. To the participating schools, thank you for joining us. We are privileged to host you and to witness the remarkable talent you bring to our stage.”

Admission is $15 for Adults, $10 for K-12 students, and free for Age 5 and under.

Call Marilyn Higgins at 319-368-8895 or email her at marilyn.higgins@southeastiowaunion.com