March 17, 2008

Bluffton and Norwell show choirs shine in season finale at Homestead

Choirs from two Wells County schools turned on standout performances at the 9th Annual Homestead Classic Showcase on Saturday, the final competition of the choir season.

Both Norwell and Bluffton returned home with a long list of honors, including “Grand Champion” titles in three classes. Norwell took “Grand Champion” honors in the women’s and small mixed choir competitions, while Bluffton’s Taylor Okey won the soloist division.

In all, 13 schools contested the event, with Prospect High School from Illinois joining Bellmont, Bluffton, Chesterton, Columbia City, Garrett, Maconaquah, North Side, North White, North Ridge, Norwell, Southmont and Triton Central High Schools from Indiana.

Norwell’s “Knight Stars” won their third “Grand Champion” title of the season, heading off the challenges of Chesterton and Prospect in the women’s division. Norwell also picked up the special awards for best vocals and best crew in this division. Chesterton won the best choreography award, while Prospect won best combo.

Bluffton did not contest the women’s competition, which saw seven choirs vying for the honors.

It was Wells County first and second in both the small mixed choir and solo competitions.

In the “Small Mixed” Division, again contested by seven schools, Norwell swept the pool, not only claiming “Grand Champion,” but also all the special awards. The “Knight Moves” backed up the main award with best choreography, best vocals, best combo and best crew.

This was also Norwell’s third “Small Mixed” title of the season.

Bluffton’s “Musical Entourage” took first runner-up honors or the second consecutive week to make up the Wells County double.

Positions were reversed in the “Soloist” Division, as Taylor Okey’s rendition of “Gethsemane” from “Jesus Christ Superstar” saw him take the “Grand Champion” title. Norwell’s Melissa Fiechter took runner-up with “I’m Gorgeous.”

For Okey, this was the second “Grand Champion” Soloist award in two weeks, as he also won the East Noble competition on March 8, again with “Gethsemane”.

The evening show saw the top three schools from the “Small Mixed” Division battle it out with the top three from the “Large Mixed” for overall honors. Southmont joined Norwell and Bluffton from the smaller choir group, while Chesterton, Prospect and North Side were selected from the larger choirs group.

Norwell’s “Knight Stars”, along with Okey and Fiechter also performed once again as part of the evening show, demonstrating the talents that had won their awards earlier in the day.

This evening event produced a result that surprised a lot of people, with Chesterton announced as “Grand Champion” and Prospect as first runner-up. Norwell was named second runner-up with Bluffton securing third runner-up.

Norwell’s Middle School “Knight Sounds,” competing in their only competition for the season, claimed 3rd runner up, competing against six other middle schools.

Norwell’s “Knight Stars” end the current season with an effective 24-3, having only been edged by three choirs but outscoring 24.

The “Knight Moves” ended up 25-2 for the season in “Small Mixed” competition.

Bluffton’s overall season record was not available at the time of writing, however “Musical Entourage” won the “Grand Champion” title at Franklin Central’s competition and also finished the season with two first runner-up placings.

“Musical Entourage” is directed by Susan Denney and choreographed by Alex Hall.

Norwell’s choirs are directed by Carla Doles, assisted by Jason Fiechter, and choreographed by Jason Johnson.

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