Spotlighting the Show Choir

Hey, my fellow Gleeks! If you’re just as excited about the return of Glee on April 13 on Fox as I am, flash me some jazz hands!

Why am I a Gleek? Glee blends together three of my pop culture loves – Queen songs, Jane Lynch and sudsy

, soapy storylines – into o

ne addictive package. Best of all, Glee shines a spotlight on the need for performing arts programs in our nation’s schools, not only to grow our student

s’ talent, but to build their confidence in all areas of academia.

I was curious to know how Glee is having an impact on today’s high school show choirs, so I turned to Jason Winter, director of choral activities for Marquette High School in Chesterfield and director of its show choir, Center Stage.

Said Winter via email, “We have been slowly building Center Stage over the past four years. Although enrollment has been growing due to the group’s success, I feel Glee is giving us a boost with promoting our show choir.”

The public can catch a real-life Glee on April 23 at 7 p.m. when Center Stage presents its spring performance at Marquette High School, 2351 Clarkson Road in Chesterfield. “All Nightmare Long” will feature songs from Metallica and Evanescence to Michael Jackson and The Charlie Daniels Band. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased in advance at 636-891-6000 or at the door.

Show choir performances, like “All Nightmare Long,” are drawing in more fans than ever thanks to the talent of the stars, the dedication of the faculty advisors and the influence of Glee.

“High school show choir has been around for a long time and has been important in the lives of many,” remarked Winter. “I believe Glee is helping to bring the idea of show choir to the surface in places where it has not been as popular in the past.”

By Nicole Plegge, Lifestyle Blogger for SmartParenting