CATaclysmic’s annual show choir invitational, hosted here at Albert Lea High School, typically attracts around 600 spectators. At this year’s event, held on March 24, 18 groups from ten schools competed, and the music department raised nearly $16,000 from the sale of food, flowers, T-shirts, and other concessions.
Next year, however, CAT will not be hosting their 18th annual show choir invitational.
Junior Kelli Sanderson, who has been involved since middle school, says her favorite parts of show choir are the competitions. Unfortunately, next year’s mixed group will not be competing. CAT will instead focus on performing locally.
“Competitions are great ways to watch and meet talented people from other schools,” Sanderson said. “I’m disappointed that we won’t get those opportunities next year.”
Freshman Quinn Andersen wasn’t given many of these opportunities as a member of SASS this year. SASS–short for the Soprano-Alto Singing Sensation–is an all-female prep group and typically only competes at the Albert Lea invitational. Andersen says her favorite part about show choir is the competition.
“I love seeing all the other teams,” Andersen said. “And I love seeing how much other people love seeing the other teams.”
When Andersen learned of the changes for next year, she was disappointed. She has seen CAT perform and hoped that she would one day get to compete as a member of the mixed group.
“As much as I love performing in general,” Andersen said, “performing locally just isn’t the same.”
Andersen knows some of her peers are hesitant to try out next year because performing locally “doesn’t seem to mean as much to them,” but says the changes for next year didn’t affect her decision to stay involved in show choir.