Encore show choir ready to perform

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December 5, 2008

BY ANNA HERKAMP The Commercial-News Fri Dec 05, 2008, 09:55 PM CST

DANVILLE — The South View Middle School Encore show choir is determined to start the contest season off right.

To raise money for costumes, choreography and other necessities, the choir will perform in “An Evening with Encore” next week.

South View students aren’t asked to pay a fee for their membership in the choir, so all expenses will be paid though fundraisers, said the school’s new choral director, Rebecca Kim.

“I don’t charge them anything, so they can all get the (show choir) experience,” Kim said.

Other schools can charge up to nearly $500 per child to pay for costumes, coordinators and transportation fees.

“It can go pretty high,” she said.

She hopes the choir can raise a few thousand dollars Thursday.

After the fundraiser, the choir can purchase costumes for its 40-some member group.

The contest season begins Jan. 16-17 at South Dearborn High School at Aurora, Ind., and a Parent Preview Night at the high school will take place Jan. 15.

South View Encore students say their show is coming along smoothly so far.

“You’ve gotta move with purpose,” Kim told the group during rehearsal Thursday.

Students practiced the song “My Vision,” and the accompanying coordinated dance movement.

Tanasja Adkisson, a sixth grader; Donovan Jefferson, a seventh grader, and Morgan Ratliff, an eighth grader, took a break from practice to talk about their show.

“It’s awesome,” Ratliff said. “It’s more than I thought it would be.”

“It’s good, but we can do better,” added Adkisson.

Jefferson and Ratliff are part of a small breakout dance group that performs briefly during “My Vision.”

Ratliff said she initially joined the choir because it gives her a chance to show off her dance moves.

Jefferson said the choir still needs work on facial expressions and movement coordination. He said show choir gives him a unique opportunity to perform.

“I have talent, and I like to show it off,” he said.

Adkisson said she likes participating in Encore because it gives her something to do after school.

“I don’t have to just go home,” she said.

But students credit their teacher for whipping the group into shape.

“Ms. Kim is doing a (great) job,” Ratliff said.

“She can deal with this many kids,” Adkisson wryly said.

A new leader

Encore has had several directors over the past few years.

Kim, a first-year teacher and recent University of Illinois graduate, is determined to develop the show choir program at South View.

She was a student teacher at Danville High School last year.

“If you believe in the kids, they start believing in themselves,” she said.

“They’re really enthusiastic and willing to work hard. My goal is to show case that to the community.”

Kim says she’s received plenty of support from the community and the school.

She hopes to one day develop South View’s choral program to be similar to North Ridge Middle School’s, which recently added a new all-girl choir, called the Radiant Reds.

“I consider myself very lucky,” Kim said.

“Everyone is willing to work with me to make this very real and help turn ideas into realities.”

COMING UP

South View Middle School’s Encore show choir will perform in "A Night With Encore” fundraiser 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday in the South View gym. The evening will include the choir performance, dessert offerings and a silent auction. The cost is $3 per adult and $1 per child. All proceeds will fund the upcoming show choir season.

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