After months of practice, Homewood High School’s show choir showcases its Fall Show this November 3rd.

All three of HHS’ show choir groups are performing — the show serves as a teaser for what is to come during competition season in Spring. 

The Network, Homewood’s top show choir group, is including something special in this Fall Show. In addition to performing pieces for upcoming competitions, they will be providing a tribute to past shows that they have won awards with.  They are performing the first two numbers of their 2018 show, “At the End of the Day” and “Facade,” which pushed them to third place at a National competition.

One of The Network’s presidents, senior Hugh Nickson, explained how he was most excited to show off a ballad that greatly inspired the whole show, “With You Always.” 

“Our 2017 ballad is considered by many to be the best ballad we ever sang,” Nickson said. “From my impression, the directors and the entire choir are really excited. It sounds fantastic and I think it’s going to knock the ball out of the park.”

The journey to this point was not without its challenges, however. As they prepare to attend nationals this spring, The Network has been practicing three hours every Monday since September. Nexus, the all-girl show choir group, is also attending nationals; they practice for three hours every Thursday.

“You have a lot thrown at you,” Nickson said. “Especially for a lot of the sophomores, it’s difficult. We just throw in so much choreography and vocals, so it can be hard to keep up with. You do have to practice a lot.”

Senior Dobbs Durkin, The Network’s dance and vocal captain, reaffirmed that it is no easy process. As a leader, he learns choreography and occasionally vocals before everyone else so he can teach them to others.

“It’s definitely a challenge knowing you’re in charge of this amount of people,” Durkin said. “But having someone like Scott Thorne and Byron Mosquera to back you up, and fellow captains like Ava Pepper, Sandy Holmes, and Connor Pilgrim [is reassuring].”

Durkin also expressed how eager he is to perform the show’s closing number. He thinks it will blow the crowd out of the water.

“Our closer this year is gonna be really fun to watch, it’s pure show choir 101,” Durkin said. “Everyone’s reaction to the closer is gonna be the best thing about it. Getting the energy from the audience and the crowd is unmatched.”

The show is taking place at 7:00 PM in the auditorium at HHS Admission is free.

This is director Scott Thorne’s last year leading Homewood’s choir department, with his successor Byron Mosquera taking the reins next year. Nexus and Continuum — the former competing in the unisex division and the latter being a freshman group — are experiencing their second year as independent groups. It’s clear Homewood’s choir department has a lot in store for years to come, and the Fall Show is a prime opportunity for people to be introduced to it.