The multi-faceted Chesterton High School show choir returned late at night on Sunday, February 23 from their national competition in Anaheim, California. Since the trip was announced in May, the Drifters and Sandpipers have eagerly awaited the cross-country excursion, and it is safe to say that it lived up to the group’s expectations. The conclusion of the four day trip was not exactly welcomed with open arms, but the show choir returned with their spirits high after fulfilling the American Dream of performing out west.
Before the group took off for Anaheim that Wednesday night, every CHS student was green with envy as the performers killed the hours before their highly anticipated trip. As Indiana stood deep in a February winter, the performers were preparing to fly away to where the sun truly does shine brighter. The empty desks of show choir kids in class had every other student kicking themselves for not hopping up on stage to sing and dance, and with that, on the plane out of a bitterly cold winter.
The trip itinerary was established even before the team had choreographed their routines, and an enviable schedule it was. The fun began at the most magical place on Earth: Disneyland. After a season of competing, winning, and bonding as a team, there was no better reward for such a season than sending them to Disney with their closest friends. Although the reason for their being in Anaheim, so close to Disneyland, Los Angeles, and many other major attractions, was a school-sanctioned competition, it was no less of a vacation for the singers and dancers, possibly even more exciting given the additional opportunity of traveling with a gigantic group of friends. The team not only went to Disneyland, but also visited Santa Monica Pier and Hollywood Boulevard, two must-sees on everyone’s list. The experience of visiting such an iconic area was only heightened by the presence of team comradery and dedication, a blessing that is not at all lost on the singers, who are as thoughtful as they are talented.
“California was probably the most life changing thing I’ve experienced in show choir. Getting closer to everyone and just reconnecting between both groups was nice,” says freshman Annalise Lewis.
When asked to recall her first show choir nationals, Lewis gave an evaluation similar to that of her teammates. The reports were overwhelmingly positive, quite the feat for such a giant mass of teenagers on business together, but if there was ever a group to pull it off, it would be the CHS show choir. The Drifters and Sandpipers are two jewels on the crown of the CHS music department, and have earned the proud reputation of a well-rounded team in both skill and attitude.
The good spirits of the choir bled into their performance, and sure enough the results of the competition validated their all-embracing enthusiasm. The team competed at Esperanza High School against some of the most talented show choirs in the country, and, in typical Trojan fashion, brought glory down upon humble Chesterton. The Drifters, Chesterton High School’s all-girls choir, earned second runner up in their division, and the Sandpipers, our coed choir, won the grand champion title in theirs. Overall, reports of the trip recall a fun and successful experience for the Drifters and Sandpipers. With a little bit of the season still left ahead of them, it’s only up from these great heights.
