William Amos Hough High School - Show Choir Starts Off Strong!

SHOW CHOIR STARTS OFF STRONG!

August 27, 2024 - Anaya Davis (12)

School started two weeks early for the members of the Howlin Huskies Show Choir, as they returned to begin working on their new set for the upcoming show choir season. The energy was high in the chorus room as the boot camp got underway. To call the performers passionate and eager would be an understatement for the returning squad (along with a few new talented faces) as they prepare for another exciting year.

The set’s theme for this year is heavily influenced by the iconic movie, The Devil Wears Prada. The story follows a young journalist named Andy (Anaya Davis, 12) as she lands herself a job working for the frightening fashion editor, Miranda Priestly (Andrea Guadarrama, 12). The stars from last year's cast return to portray Nigel (John Harris, 12) and Emily (Cassidy Wade, 12), Miranda's confidant and personal assistant. Steering from the main plot, the 17-minute set will focus more on the fashion and aesthetic of the movie, giving a more satisfying ending for Miranda and Andy’s story.

Coming off of a State-Runner Up finish, the stakes are higher than ever. With this in mind, the students are taking on more advanced music and heavier dancing than last year. Hannah Shizuko, a 2017 Hough graduate and the group’s official choreographer, has great expectations for her students; many are well experienced working with Shizuko and the majority of the group is seniors. Alongside the intensive dance training, Mrs. Heidi Hickox-Gordon, the group's music director, has presented the members with a diverse range of challenging new music featuring demanding vocals. Exciting things are happening as students and teachers pour their hearts and souls into this set, pushing the boundaries to create a performance that will truly surpass all expectations.

The '23/24 squad performing their Romeo and Juliet inspired set.

Show Captains Cassidy Wade, Whittier Henry, and Dance Captain John Harris

After former Show Captain Treyveon Purvis graduated this past spring, the group needed strong student leaders. Cassidy Wade (12) and Whittier Henry (12) were up to the task. These two have been staples of the group the past three years. Their track record of performance and leadership made it no surprise when they were appointed as Show Captains. The pair have already shown their worth, doing an amazing job at keeping the team engaged. The newly appointed dance captain, John Harris (12) expresses his enthusiasm and determination to lead his class to victory, “I am super excited and optimistic for our team, I can tell that with our super fun theme and amazing choreography, we are all super excited,” Harris raves. He reveals that, “I am a bit intimidated, having to be on top of the choreography and ready to answer any question is a bit scary- however, I am ready to take on this amazing role”. Harris is an incredible hardworking performer who will no doubt excel in his role. His classmates are thrilled and truly appreciative to have him as a leader.

The boot camp was an incredible opportunity for the team to come together, rekindle their connections, and elevate their teamwork to new heights. Whether it be deciphering an unknown piece of sheet music, or performing new tumbles and tricks, these students take on whatever challenge that comes their way with a chilling tenacity. With the way things are looking now, the Howlin Huskies can promise themselves another successful season.