In my opinion the greatest art form in all of America, show choir. It incorporates singing, dancing, and acting all into one setting. Here in the Midwest we are really good at it and over the last few years have gotten ever better creating for a fun and entertaining season for audiences everywhere!
I'm a member of Happiness Inc. at Kennedy High School. The show choir is the first one ever established in the entire country and to this day is known nationwide as an award winning show choir. Five years ago the show choir was so musically talented that they brought home a first place trophy from show choir nationals back to good ol' Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Ever since then Happiness has had a major target on its back and is now facing competition that has risen to that level from all over the region.
Happiness to me means more than just going on stage and performing the best show I can possibly produce. It's about tradition, family, bonding with friends, hours of work, the yellow jacket, and most important, performing top class music. The tradition is eye-opening to me. I've gone on vacation since making the group and people recognize my group from different states! The fact that people from Florida and Arizona, total opposites in terms of direction from Iowa, know about our show choir is so inspiring to me. That means that in the past this group has touched people in a positive way has left their mark across the United States.
The amount of work put into show choir is unbelievable. From the outside looking in it may not look like it, but the season runs from July until April. That's over three fourths of the year! What makes all of that hard work worth it is the people doing the show with me. They never fail to make me smile every day and are all just great people. The one thing different about show choir and sports is that the people don't judge you about anything. Everyone is different and unique in their own way and it's supported in the show choir community. I've made many friends due to this activity that will probably remain friends the rest of my life and that's the greatest feeling. Being able to see your happiness jacket hang up on your bedroom wall and think about all the fun memories that jacket has brought. There isn't anything else that symbolic.
Finally show choir is a fantastic activity for me because I love making music. I think singing is the coolest thing ever and that's why I do it every day whether I'm at school or not! Under our director Storm Ziegler, we are able to produce sounds and emotions that are normally college level or above. What greater experience in high school than to perform a show that can change the view of an audience member or make them feel different emotions. Show choir has the power to make someone smile during one song, cry for the next, and then laugh away the tears for the one after that. What a diverse activity and challenge it brings to students. That's why I love it so much because I'm always looking for a way to challenge myself, and music is that door.
