Ready to sing

By Staff
Choir prepares for spring performances
Tracy B. Cieniewicz, Hartselle Enquirer
Wanda Thompson said the Hartselle High School Show Choir has accomplished a tremendous amount of work in a short amount of time in preparation for several spring performances, including a trip to the nation's oldest city.
"In the past, the show choir has traveled to parts of Europe, Mexico and all over," Thompson, choir director, said. "This year, I tried to find a place for the students to showcase their talents and learn something at the same time. After lots of research and prayer, I decided on St. Augustine, Fla. Traveling abroad is wonderful, but the kids need to know about America and their heritage, too."
The five-day trip is set to begin April 5 with a stopover in Jacksonville to sing at a local retirement home. Once in St. Augustine, the group is scheduled to sing at the Plaza de la Constitucion in historic downtown and at First United Methodist Church of Lake City on Easter morning.
"We keep them busy with performances, but we have a little free time planned, too," Connie Speegle, assistant choir director, said.
According to Speegle, 24 of the show choir's 28 members and 12 parents plan to make the bus trip to historic St. Augustine, known as the nation's oldest city. While there, the group will enjoy a guided tour of the city, visit the Fountain of Youth, Nombre de Dios, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, Flagler Memorial Presbyterian Church and much more.
"If anyone in the community needs yard work or handy work, the kids will be glad to do it for donations to help fund the trip. Just call the high school and ask for the choral department and we'll find you some help," Thompson said. "This a great group of kids and they are very excited about the trip. When they ask for extra practice times, you know you've got a good caliber of kids."
Thompson and Speegle said the show choir will get ample practice for the St. Augustine tour in several upcoming local performances.
The show choir is set to appear at the WHNT TV 19 Kids Count Expo on Sunday, Feb. 15, at 4 p.m. in the South Hall of the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, where the group will perform a medley from "Big River: The Adventures of Huck Finn."
"This performance involves props and costumes and lots of dancing," Thompson said. "I think it will be a big hit at the Expo and in St. Augustine."
The annual "Follies" will be held Saturday, Feb. 21, at 7 p.m. in the Hartselle High School cafeteria with choir groups performing, along with a variety of skits, singing and dancing. Admission is $5.
"This is one of our biggest fundraisers of the year," Thompson said. "The proceeds will help offset our travel costs to St. Augustine. It's an event that everyone looks forward to each spring because it's just so much fun."
The show choir is also scheduled to perform at Westmeade Baptist Church in Decatur during the Sacred Musical Festival on Sunday, March 14, at 2:30 p.m. The event is free and the public is invited to attend.
Hartselle High choir members from all four choral groups are currently selling advertising for the Spring Program to be held Monday, May 17, at 7 p.m. at Sparkman Civic Center. For advertising rates or sponsorship information, call 773-5426 and ask for Thompson or Speegle in the choral department.
"We're always busy in the spring," Thompson said with a smile. "We're looking forward to another wonderful performance season."