On Saturday, January 31st, South Windsor High School’s award-winning show choir group, Choral Spectrum, traveled to Fiskdale, Massachusetts to compete at the annual Tantasqua Show Choir Spectacular.
Each year, Choral Spectrum competes in three different competitions between February and March, with Tantasqua typically being their first competition, and the first opportunity for people to watch Choral Spectrum’s entire show set.
Choral Spectrum learned their set in early September, and were choreographed and instructed by Tori Brindis and Peyton Bellman, renowned choreographers. Since the fall, Spectrum has spent countless hours rehearsing their show, both in and out of school with the help of both student leaders; Kaleigh Aparo, Arianna Gaines, Eshaan Dey and Khoushnaf Mohamed, and directors Jereme Martineau and Emma Luxemburg.
On Saturday, performers dressed their best and arrived at South Windsor High School bright and early in the morning to pack up their costumes, visual structures, and all other elements of their set. Choral Spectrum, Spectrum band, directors, stage management, and other crucial staff then packed the buses and traveled to Massachusetts, arriving at Tantasqua around 1:30 pm.
SWHS Senior and Choral Spectrum dance captain, Kaleigh Aparo, told The Prowl, “I’m so excited we got to compete once again at Tanty this year, and we were able to meet up with old and new friends throughout the years. Being a student leader this year has been a lot of hard work and dedication, but I am so proud of how the group has pulled the show together and is having fun in the process.”
Choral Spectrum competes in the large mixed division. At this invitational, 4 groups competed in this division. Tantasqua Regional High School performed, but could not compete due to their role as the host school.
Timothy Edwards Middle School also competed at this showcase, and their show choir group “Spotlight” took the stage early in the morning. This was their first time competing since 2019, and they took home the title of Grand Champion for their division.
Choral Spectrum took the stage at 7:30 p.m., wearing all black costumes, with a glowing blue light in the center. The group performed a piece that centered around a theme of technology takeover. Titles, “The Social Dilemma”, the show looked at the control that screens have on our lives, and the importance of humanity in the face of oppressive technology. The group expressed this theme through music and movement, featuring songs like “Wait for Me” from the Broadway musical ‘Hadestown’, “Find My Way”, “Autocorrect/Compliance”, “I Put a Spell on You”, and “Change on The Rise”.
Choral Spectrum took home a Silver medal, along with the ‘Smooth Vibes’ award. Their student band, ‘Spectrum Band’, was awarded the title of best band award and junior, Hailey Olints, was awarded ‘Best Soloist,’ for her feature in the set’s ballad, “Wait for Me.” Olints has received this award in previous years, in recognition of her outstanding solo performances.
“When my name was called I felt overjoyed and very grateful I was given the opportunity to be considered for an award in this category. I was shocked when it was my name because I know that so many people work very hard to achieve this award, and I was so lucky to have been chosen,” Hailey Olints told The Prowl.
Choral Spectrum will compete in two additional competitions this year, including the Leominster Show Choir Festival, and the Lil’ Rhody Rumble, hosted by Bishop Hendricken High School. The group will also participate in the South Windsor Show Choir Festival on the 24th and 25th of February, where they will perform alongside TE’s award winning show choir, Spotlight.
