TCHS Show Choir to perform "Songs from the Stage and Screen"

Leslie Moore

TCHS Show Choir members, from left, Elijah Myers, Macayla Bertram, Alyssa Young and Spencer Tungate dominate the stage while dancing to “Eye of the Tiger,” featured in the classic Sylvester Stallone movie “Rocky III.”

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Leslie Moore

TCHS Show Choir members Justin Hazel and Macayla Bertram own the stage while dancing to a medley from the musical "Guys and Dolls."

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Leslie Moore

The TCHS Show Choir point to the sky in a routine choreographed to the arrangement of "Singin' in the Rain" made legendary by Gene Kelly paired with Rihanna's No. 1 hit "Umbrella."

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Leslie Moore

TCHS Show Choir members brighten up the stage with "A Bushel and a Peck," a song introduced in the 1950s musical "Guys and Dolls."

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Leslie Moore

Mitchell Tinnell mans the drums in the TCHS Show Choir's performance of "Courageous" by Christian rock band Casting Crowns.

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Leslie Moore

Brooke Gilpin explains the perils of being an unmarried woman in "Adelaide's Lament."

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Leslie Moore

Jade McClure as Eponine, a character from "Les Miserables," delivers a rendition of "On My Own" during the TCHS Show Choir's performance of "Songs from the Stage and Screen."

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Taylor County High School’s Show Choir will be singing and dancing its way through the decades with classics from Broadway and Hollywood in a spring performance that begins tonight and runs through Saturday.

TCHS Choral Director Lisa Gupton said the theme “Songs from the Stage and Screen,” was selected for the graduating seniors.

“The senior members have done mostly current songs in their past shows, so I wanted them to be exposed to a good variety from Broadway and Hollywood,” Gupton said.

Senior Alyssa Young said the students don’t have a lot of different roles.

“We have different songs and different people have solos and dance solos, but we all sing and dance the whole time,” Young said.

In her third year as a show choir member, Young said the most challenging aspect of show choir is being dedicated to all of the practices.

“That’s something that’s difficult for all of us because we all have so many other obligations and priorities with sports, school. And you really have to put all your heart and effort into the show.”

Gupton doesn’t deny the amount of time and commitment required of show choir members. Light rehearsals began in November, but she said the show choir has had intense rehearsals for five to 10 hours a week since January.

Though she said all of the songs are good, Young said her favorite part of this year’s show is the Phantom of the Opera medley, specifically the song “Masquerade.”

Senior Spencer Tungate has participated in show choir all four years of high school. He will star as Lumiere from the Disney animated film “Beauty and the Beast” when the choir performs the song “Be Our Guest.” Tungate said he is most excited about this song because of all the “awesome” costumes.

Tungate said his experience in show choir has helped him become more than just a better singer and dancer.

“I think I’ve definitely gained how to work with people. You know, we all have amazing talents to bring together,” Tungate said. “There’s different personalities, but when we all work together, we see that something amazing comes out of it.”

Gupton said she hopes students gain from their involvement in show choir a lifelong determination to make the most of every opportunity presented to them.

Senior Jenna Corbin has a solo on the piano in the song “Time Warp.” In her fourth year as a show choir member, Corbin said she is “over the nerves” and just excited for the show.

“[The audience] should be prepared to see a lot of variety and maybe some stuff that they won’t like, but there’s definitely something that everybody’s gonna like,” Corbin said. “Old stuff, new stuff, a little bit of every genre.”

Senior John Eastridge said getting ready for this week has been difficult, mentally and physically.

But after four years in show choir, Eastridge said it always pays off in the end.

“My favorite part of the show is probably the live band numbers, Eastridge said, “just because I really love doing that kind of stuff, playing guitar and different instruments, and we really have a lot of fun doing that.”

For Gupton, the best part of show choir is working to develop hidden talents and encouraging timid performers.

“The seniors work closely with me each year and I love the special bonding times with them,” Gupton said.

Eastridge has just one thing to say to people who are still deciding if they will attend the show.

“Come on, because it’s going to be great.”

The performance runs tonight through Saturday at 7 p.m. nightly in the Taylor County Middle School gymnasium. General admission is $7.