“Swingin’ On The River” Held at HHS

The annual “Swingin’ On The River” Show choir invitational was held last weekend at the Hastings High School. Twenty choirs from as far away as Omaha NE, Sioux Falls SD, and Iowa City participated in the event, which is the primary fundraiser for the Hastings Show Choir program for the year. The day began before 7:00am and buses containing more than 1200 students, musicians and stage crew arrived to spend the day in musical comradery. The event draws approximately 2,000 spectators who fill the performing arts auditorium throughout the 15-hour performance schedule. The event was staffed by volunteer show choir parents who coordinated the myriad of details necessary to keep the event running smoothly. The day-long competition featured performance, critique and lots of energy. Choirs performed in class A and AA groups and new this year was the All Female Group Division which honored Bemidjis “La Voce Ballo” with the top trophy. In the Prep or Class A division, “Synergy” from Johnston High School in Iowa won first place. Moving through the evening finals, where the six top varsity groups presented their shows again, the panel of judges selected 2nd runner up as “St. Francis Bridge Street Singers,” 1st runner up as Omaha’s “Westside Amazing Technicolor Show Choir” and the Grand Champion, with best vocals and best choreography went to “Johnston Innovation.” A link for the free photo gallery for the entire event is posted on the Hastings Show Choir website. Follow the Flickr link found on the “Swingin’ on the River” tab.