Tickets on Sale for Bluffton Show Choir's Annual 'Dinner Theatre'

Tickets are on sale and auditions are underway for Bluffton High School’s annual “Dinner Theatre,” scheduled for April 29 and 30. 

 

Members of Bluffton’s “Musical Entourage” show choir have been auditioning for the special performance slots on the show, and rehearsal of the group performances is also in full swing.  (The photo above is from a rehearsal.)

 

The theme this year is “A Night On Broadway,” and a dinner will precede the show on both evenings.  

 

The menu is boneless chicken breast, potato and vegetable with an ice cream dessert. 

 

The dinner is at 6 p.m. and the show is at 7 p.m. on Friday April 29 and Saturday April 30. Tickets for dinner are $15 for the meal and show or $5 at the door for the show only. 

 

Tickets may be purchased from any choir member or by calling Jeff Bowman at 273-1050. 

 

Tickets for the meal must be purchased before April 25 to assist with catering arrangements.  

Wells County 's "Other Connection" to the Finale Nationals

It seems that the “Norwell connection” was even more of a winner in the Finale Nationals in New York than we first thought. 

 

In the “Swingers Unlimited” group from Marysville, Ohio, which placed second runner-up in the Large Mixed Division, was senior Marissa Milholland. 

 

Milholland is the granddaughter of Don and Judy Milholland of Uniondale, and the daughter of Eric and Alicia Milholland.

 

Eric himself is a Norwell graduate.   

No Place Like Home

Norwell High School's show choirs return home after conquering New York, New York. See Monday's News-Banner to learn how they did.

Welcome home Norwell!

Norwell show choir students arrived back at school safe and sound, but very tired, this morning. 

 

Check this morning's News-Banner for the full story of their successful trip to New York. 

Great Effort Norwell!

Three second placings from three divisions, and the "People's Choice" Award. The Music Boosters have asked that I pass on their (and the students') thanks to the community for turning out to vote online in the "People's Choice" category, and the support in general. A great result all round for our tiny county against schools, many much bigger than Norwell, from all over the country. Big kudos to the kids (and Mrs. Doles and her team) too. Only two schools placed in the top three in all three divisions they were eligible to contest, and Norwell was one of them. Magnificent effort! Watch Monday's News-Banner for our story.

Update from New York!

Missy Nolan and Abby Pfaff competed in the solo competition at the Finale Nationals in New York this morning. We probably won't know how they did until the finalists are announced at 6:15 p.m. Saturday though. (The Solo Division continues throughout the day today).

The students are attending clinics throughout the day, and a dance/pizza party this evening. They have a full day of competition ahead Saturday.

I found today that when you tune in to www.finalenationals.com to watch the shows (and to vote for the "Knight Moves" in the "People's Choice" category) you will have to register first. It only takes a few minutes, but just don't wait until the last minute to tune in!

(I'm assuming they are trying to build up a mailing list. Hopefully that won't put anyone off - if you're new to Show Choir, this competition might just get you hooked and wanting to know more about the events!)

Re-arranged Schedule for Norwell Show Choirs in New York

Norwell’s show choirs arrived safely in New York City Wednesday evening, however, their original schedule didn’t survive the trip.

 

Even before the students had arrived in “The Big Apple,” the competition schedule had been changed. 

 

“Some of the schools competing were concerned that the schedule didn’t allow them time to attend all the clinics,” advised Music Booster representative Denny Meyer. As a result, competition organizers have now scheduled all competition on Saturday, with workshops run by professional performers off Broadway continuing through Friday. 

 

Meyer had flown ahead of the group to ensure the arrangements at their hotel were all copacetic. Given that the original schedule had the students arrive at the hotel at 6:30 p.m., but then attend the “Lion King” production on Broadway at 8 p.m., there would have been little time to deal with any issues on arrival. 

 

Under the new schedule, there will now be no competition on Friday. 

 

The “Knight Stars” will compete in the Women’s Division at 10:10 a.m. Saturday. 

 

The “Knight Moves” will compete in the Small Mixed Division at 1:35 p.m. Saturday. 

 

The top four choirs from each division will then progress to the finals in the evening. The Women’s Division finals will begin at 6:45 p.m. The Small Mixed Division finals will begin at 8:15 p.m. 

 

The schedule for the solo competition has not yet been announced. Seniors Melissa Nolan and Abby Pfaff will represent Norwell in this  division. Each participating school was limited to two students in this division.

 

All competition will be held in the Hammerstein Opera House, on West 34th Street, between 7th and 8th avenues. 

 

The competition can be followed online throughout Saturday at www.finalenationals.com and the opportunity to vote (up to four times) for the “Knight Moves” in the “People’s Choice” category will also  be available on Saturday. 

 

(Norwell Music Boosters are requesting that all “People’s Choice” votes be cast for the “Knight Moves” to ensure their support is not split between the two  choirs, and give them a better chance of beating the bigger schools they are competing against.)

 

So far, Norwell has not yet been notified as to whether they will be asked to perform on “The Today Show.” Four of the participating choirs will be selected to perform each morning - one per day - Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday - to perform live on the show. 

 

Thursday sees the students attend a 9:30 a.m. rehearsal of their show, and attend clinics throughout the day. The clinics concentrate on vocal performance, dance and acting. This evening, they will attend the musical “Wicked” on Broadway. 

Norwell Show Choirs in New York - Wednesday

The crew departed on schedule last night in two busses, and are scheduled to arrive at their hotel at 6:30 p.m. this evening. (The photo above was taken at the  school just prior to departure last night.)

 

There won't be much time to settle  in however, as they are schedules to be at "The Lion King" on Broadway at 8 p.m. The students won't know until they arrive whether they are scheduled to appear on tomorrow's "Today Show." 

 

We will be getting regular updates from New York and posting updates, both here and on the News-Banner facebook page, as they come in. 

Norwell's Music Extravaganza

The Bluffton News-Banner is pleased to present several songs from the Norwell Show Choir's Music Extravaganza from Saturday, April 2.







Come back later today for more footage, and we'll keep you up to date through the blog and Facebook as the show choirs try to conquer New York, New York.

Norwell Hosts "Music Extravaganza"

Northern Wells Community Schools’ most musically talented strutted their stuff at the high school Saturday evening in the annual “Music Extravaganza.”

 

Band, drum lines, and show choirs from Norwell middle and high schools, plus Ossian and Lancaster  elementaries all performed in a show that helped raised funds for the school system’s music programs. 

 

In addition to group performances, a number of students also showcased their talents with solo spots. Melissa Nolan, Lauren Fiechter (pictured above), Teyler Siples, Alivia Topp, Kaleb Cook, Addy Jo Johnson, Chloe Price, Libby Smith, Abbi Reichard, Jessica McMillen, Kieren Vieth, Tara Hughes, Hannah Pfaff, Paige Meyer and Savannah Butler all featured in this capacity. 

 

Video and photos from the event will be posted here just a little later in the week. Don't forget to come down to Norwell tonight (Tuesday) to farewell the "Knight Moves" and "Knight Stars" as they leave for their big competition in New York. The bus will be leaving just a little after 9:30  p.m. See ya there!

Richard's restaurant in Bluffton Gives Norwell Show Choirs a Boost

Julie McKee of Richards' Restaurant in Bluffton presents a check for $405 to Norwell show choir members Missy Nolan, Veronica Runyon and Lauren Fiechter Thursday afternoon. 

 

The check will help meet the costs involved in the show choirs' trip to New York this week, where both the "Knight Stars" and "Knight Moves" will compete for prize money and scholarships against schools from all over the country. 

 

The choirs will depart Tuesday evening, and compete Friday and Saturday - we'll have a lot more about that next week in the  News-Banner and Ossian Journal.