Chelmsford High School Singers Advance To Semifinals

CHELMSFORD, MA – Chelmsford High School’s two a cappella groups – The Thursdays and The Crescendos have made it to the semifinal round of the International Championship of High School A Cappella Northeast competition.

The Thursdays and The Crescendos were among nine teams in their quarterfinal bracket, which included a cappella groups from all around New England. The Thursdays came in first and The Crescendos came in second in the quarterfinal round of the competition, which drew more than 150 high school a cappella groups representing eight regions this year.

With the results, both groups now qualify for Northeast Region semifinal round to be virtually judged after Apr. 10. If they win this semifinal round they advance to the final scheduled at The Town Hall Theatre in New York City.

“That both of our a cappella groups are moving on to the semifinals is super gratifying,” said Choir Director Amanda Roeder, who oversees both groups as an adviser. “These kids have worked together, and they’re super-supportive. They’re in chorus and musicals together. It definitely motivates them to do their best.”

Jackie Pottle, a junior member of The Thursdays, was named the Outstanding Soloist of the Northeast Quarterfinal 1 region.

“Jackie has really outstanding technique,” Roeder said. “She has a remarkable capacity for improvising her riffs. She is really well-controlled with the touches she adds to her interpretation.”

The Thursdays performed Evergreen by Yebba led by Jackie.

The Crescendos performed a combination of the U2 classic I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, led by junior Lily Daigle, and Otherside by Perfume Genius, performed by sophomore Nhyira Nkansah.

Graded by five judges, The Thursdays garnered 378 points while The Crescendos scored 358 and The 18 Wheelers of The Wheeler School 323 points. Groups earned points according to musical, vocal and visual quality as well as video editing, a new category effective this year.

“In addition to scoring, we get individual feedback,” Roeder explained. “We spent a day last week going through the feedback to help us in the semifinal round. The scores between our two groups were quite close. That was really nice to see.”

Each group rehearses remotely once a week.

"In a typical year, we rehearse in person anywhere between 2-4 times a week," Roeder said. “This year there has been a lot more emphasis on working alone."

Each group submitted their semifinal performances on Mar. 29.