Awards Abound For Carlsbad High at The 2015 SoCal Show Choir Invitational

The cream of the show choir crop traveled to the Chula Vista Performing Arts Center on April 18, 2015, to compete in the culmination of the competition season: The 21st Annual Southern California Show Choir Invitational. Encore, Carlsbad High School’s intermediate women’s choir won the award for Best Musicianship in their division and took second place against Eastlake, Diamond Bar, Los Alamitos, and John Burroughs High Schools. CHS freshman, Kaylen Lash, won Best Soloist for her portrayal of “Little Red Riding Hood.” This set is an entertaining take on the classic story featuring Broadway songs and pop tunes.

Sound Express, Carlsbad High School’s advanced mixed choir, also won second place against Diamond Bar and Bonita Vista High Schools. Sound Express’s set “A Life Well Lived” features original and contemporary songs and tells the story of a teacher and the impact she has on the lives of her students.

In the solo vocal competition, CHS junior, Elle Dodaro, won first place with her performance of Frank Sinatra’s “That’s Life” among a group of 21 participants.

Making their show choir debut, Lancer Choir, Carlsbad High School’s beginning mixed choir, placed 5th in the novice division against Chaparral, Helix, King’s Academy, Monte Vista, and Oceanside High Schools. Lancer Choir’s set is based on the Broadway musical “The Adams Family.”

A panel of four judges, with varied experiences on Broadway, television, film and even Disney’s Performing Arts Program, scored each team on two main categories: musicianship (vocal tone, intonation, diction, interpretation, dynamics) and showmanship (creativity, execution, difficulty, precision, visual effect). Twenty-eight groups from high schools across California participated in this event.

The Carlsbad High School Vocal Music Program consists of four choirs - Chamber Singers (advanced mixed choir), Sound Express (advanced mixed show choir), Encore (intermediate women’s show choir), and Lancer Choir (beginning mixed choir). Mr. Jessie Bullock directs all four choirs and he brings a wealth of experience and energy to the department. He mentors his students while encouraging teamwork and responsibility.

The public is invited to hear Carlsbad High School’s award-winning choirs at The CHS POP SHOW on May 28, 29, and 30, at the Carlsbad Cultural Arts Center. This annual event features all show choir sets, classical performances by Chamber Singers, selected solo and group acts, pre-show entertainment, and a silent auction. Visit www.chschoral.com for more information.

Carlsbad High School’s Vocal Music Program is one of the few remaining programs in all of San Diego County. This program strives to promote awareness, appreciation, and expression of the arts in the community. The CHS Choral Boosters is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (tax ID 30-0208051) dedicated to supporting the students in the vocal music program at Carlsbad High School.