Music in Motion sees singing, dancing even in audience

MT. PLEASANT - Twenty-one show choirs came to sing and dance their hearts out.

Even as late as 10 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7, the crowd at Mt. Pleasant Community High School was exuberant. In the intermissions, there was dancing in the aisles, spontaneous line-dancing, and impromptu singalongs. In the words of Master of Ceremonies Aaron Williamson, “You can tell them that you went to a line dance, and a show choir broke out!’

At the end of the evening, a round of applause was given to Mackenzie Kauffman-Ho, director of MPCHS’s own choir, Chain Reaction, for her help organizing the event.

After a flurry of choreography, dozens of songs, and the collective effort of hundreds, here are the winners from the finals at Music in Motion, the 32nd-annual Southeast Iowa Show Choir Invitational.

Christopher Jive and the Uptown 45, from West Branch High School took first place, as well as the award for Best Choreography. Last year, the Uptown 45 placed 4th, with an additional award for Best Crew. The group is directed by Christopher Reed, and choreographed by Ben Schank. This is their second podium placement of the year; On Jan. 31, at the Anamosa Street Showcase, the Uptown 45 was 3rd runner-up, essentially 4th place.

Runner-up was Celebration Co, from Benton Community High School. Second runner-up was Xhilaration of Xavier High School. Third runner-up, with the award for the best vocals, was River City Rhythm from Muscatine High School. Fourth runner-up was claimed by CENTRifugAL Force, from Central Lee High School. And finally, fifth runner-up, Voices Unlimited, from West Liberty High School.

In the Middle School Division, Eclipse of Regis Middle School took first place. Directed by Isaac Langley, Choreographed by Sophia Good, and arranged by Steve Shanley, this victory is the Choir’s third podium placement this year. On Jan. 31, Eclipse placed fourth in the middle school division at Prairie Premiere in Cedar Rapids. On Jan. 10, they took Second Place and People’s Choice at the Cedar Rapids Xavier Xtravaganza. Their own Sam Banaszeck won Best Soloist.

Second place was CenterStage of LaSalle-St. Joseph Middle School, whose Celine Bushambale and Ian Perreault both took home Outstanding Middle-School Soloist. Third place was Illusions, from Benton County Middle School. Neo Classic from Harding Middle School took fourth, while Fortissimo of Ford Madison Middle School and Showstoppers of Keokuk Middle School took fifth and sixth respectively.

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