Back to Your Regularly Scheduled Program: Show Choir Competitions and the Spring Musical

Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Submitted

At long last, it’s beginning to feel like things are returning to “normal” or at least Carmel High School Show Choirs have been enjoying traditional seasonal events like show choir competitions and rehearsing for the Carmel High School Spring Musical again without a bunch of restrictions!

Ispoke with Carmel High School Choral Directors Kathrine Kouns and Kyle Barker about this year’s extraordinary show choir season and this spring’s musical, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”!

RISING TO THE CHALLENGE IN TYPICAL CHS SHOW CHOIR FASHION

Once again, all of CHS’s show choirs brought home the competition bling! Kouns expressed how proud the choral directors are of the students for their commitment to excellence and respect for one another’s time and efforts.

“We’re extremely proud of how hard these students worked,” Kouns expressed. “There were certainly some very unique and new obstacles that we were up against and recovering from. I think it’s been really hard for any of us to be able to know or anticipate how the students were going to react or bounce back into a more regular routine after the last two years.”

Despite the last two more sedentary years, Kouns shared that the students, parents and support team all rose to the occasion, making this year’s competition season extraordinary.

“We came out guns blazing,” Kouns exclaimed. “We competed in five extremely competitive and difficult competitions right away. It was sort of like throwing everybody back into the deep end and saying, ‘Let’s swim!’ What was really refreshing and exciting was that so many of our colleagues at really great schools with great programs approached their [competition] season the same way that we did. So, when we competed, we were up against some fantastic choirs and ensembles. Our students were able to see fellow high school students from neighboring programs work just as hard and giving their all, which made for a great season because there was this mutual respect for everybody.”

SUPPORT EQUALS OPPORTUNITIES

After speaking with the choral directors, I felt compelled to remind my fellow supporters of the performing arts that the opportunities that are afforded the CHS choir students are made possible by the generosity of not only CHS families but also the financial gifts provided by local businesses and community members. Kouns explained that national and international affairs, such as workforce shortages, supply chain issues and rising gas prices, have deeply impacted the CHS performing arts department’s budget. In addition to the financial impact the pandemic had on the show choirs’

fundraising efforts over the last two years, it has been a challenging time for the show choirs. As we look ahead to the next school year and show choir competition season, Kouns humbly asked that if there are any individuals or businesses interested in sponsorships for next year, she is more than happy to discuss those opportunities with you. Please consider donating or a sponsorship and contact Kouns at kkouns@ccs.k12.in.us.

“GO! GO! GO! JOSEPH”

The Carmel High School Performing Arts Department is pleased to announce its spring musical, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” The show is live on stage at Carmel High School, May 12–13 at 7 p.m. and May 14 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. This huge production will challenge the cast, crew and creative team because it will be in a nontraditional venue.

The production will feature 50 student actors, a kids chorus made up of CCS Middle School students and over 50 crew members. They are going all-out with production values too, as the set and lighting will be top-notch! This is the most produced musical ever made, and CHS is thrilled to bring the show to Carmel again.

Barker is co-directing this production with Anna DeBard and shared with me some teasers that will enthrall students and Broadway enthusiasts alike!

“I’m really excited for this show,” Barker stated. “We have around 200 kids working on this show—counting all the stage, pit crews and behind-the-scenes stuff that’s happening. We worked with the school on figuring out how we can perform this in the gym, and the big creative adjustment that I’m really excited about is because we’re not on a stage, we are modeling this production similar to a couple of revivals that were done—one recently in London and another in Lincoln Center—that made it feel more like an arena-type concert event with a lot of modern takes.”

Barker continued, “You’re going to see a lot of denim in the costumes, and the chariot that ‘Joseph’ rides out in is not going to be any sort of carriage. And instead of our pharaoh being an Elvis impersonator, ours is going to be a Brittany [Spears] impersonator with backup dancers! It’s a different take on the production, and the students are totally on board with it. It’s fun to see all the pieces coming together, and I’m really excited. I’ve never done a musical like this before!”

Don’t miss out! Get your tickets for the spring musical! Tickets are $12 and are on sale at carmelchoirs.org.

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