Mundelein High School’s Show Choir is picking up plenty of awards during the current competition season, hardware that is well-earned, according to MHS Choir Director Cory Thompson.

“The kids have come in very willing to work and that has paid off for them,” Thompson said.

On Feb. 15, at the Great River Invitational at the Adler Theatre in Davenport, IA, the MHS Co-ed Prep Show Choir, Reverb, finished as First Runner-Up in the Prep Division, Noise was first runner-up for Best Band and Sound, the MHS Varsity Show Choir, was Fourth Runner-Up overall.

One week before, on Feb. 8 in Ft. Atkinson, WI, Sound won awards for Best Choreography, Best Vocals and Overall Grand Champion. It was the second time in three years the group was named Grand Champions in Ft. Atkinson. In addition, MHS senior Alex Benassi was named Best Male Soloist Within a Show.

Reverb was named Overall Prep Division Champion at the Fort Atkinson Showcase. Pretty impressive considering that 34 of Reverb’s 49 members are new to show choir and this was the group’s second competition of the season. As Prep Division Champion, they had the honor of performing in exhibition during the evening finals round.

Sound consists of 51 singers and dancers, along with 26 members in Noise, the  MHS Show Choir Band directed by Andy Sturgeon.  

Year after year, MHS’ Show Choir puts on strong performances during the competition seasons and Thompson credits it to hard work more than talent.

“It’s important we teach kids about having a good work ethic,” she said. “We like to say we teach more than choir at MHS. We teach things like working toward a goal, accountability and discipline.”

While they don’t win every competition, they put themselves in position for awards when they give their best effort. Iowa schools have students in show choirs when they’re in middle school, so the competition is that much better.

“The competition at the Great River Invitational had a very deep field and it was exciting for our students to face some very good competition. They rose to the occasion,” she said.

The show choirs will finish the competition season at “The Main Event” in Western Dubuque, IA, the weekend of March 1-2.