OA Show Choir Grand Champions at Waltham Festival

Submitted to Easton Patch:

The Show Choir and Pit Band, Panache’, earned a Gold Medal and were named Grand Champions after an outstanding performance at the 27th Eastern Show Choir Festival on Saturday, March 31, at Waltham High School. Panache’ was one of 18 groups from Massachusetts, Connecticut and Toronto, Ontario competing for top show honors in the prestigious Champion Division Saturday evening. 

Panaches’ performance opened with the swinging “Jet Set” from the musical “Catch Me If You Can”, with a solo by Samantha Cormier, followed by Van Morrison’s classic hit, “Moondance”. The group then captivated an emotional audience with Martina McBride’s hit single ballad, “Anyway”, with soloist Addy Marcus. The mood suddenly switched to upbeat as the group executed a costume change with “You Got My Attention” with soloist Jen Bourne, followed by “Runaway Baby”. The group then brought down the house with their high energy closer, “I Like To Dance”, with a solo by Brad Costa.

Receiving one of only two Gold Medals awarded by the judges, Panache’ also claimed the top trophies for Best Vocal Sound, Best Choreography and Best Instrumental Performance. A surprised Addy Marcus received a Special Vocal Judge’s Award for her joyful solo performance on “Anyway”. Panache’ is directed by Charlene Dalrymple, assisted by Stephanie Manning, with choreography by Shawn Eck of Orlando FL. The talented, award winning Pit Band is directed by Jeffrey Benson.

Earlier in the day, the Easton Middle School Show Choir, Image, performed through some sound and lighting technical issues to receive a hard earned Silver Medal in the Varsity Division competition.

On Friday evening, TEMPO sponsored the annual pasta dinner at the school where the dance captains, section leaders and Pit Band handed out their annual “superlatives”, and the following seniors were honored for their dedication and participation: Michaela Barry, Jordan Bass, Jennifer Bourne, Emily Carlson, Samantha Cormier, Drew Egger, Emily Herschlag, Sarah Laird, Calvin Nguyen, Kevin Swanson and Pit Band member Kurt Eichorn.

 The Waltham festival closed out an extremely successful 2012 competition season for Panache’ who also participated in the Mill City festival at Lowell High School in January and the Central Massachusetts festival at Shepherd Hill Regional High School in Dudley in February.

This season, the show choir and pit band received two Grand Champion awards, three Gold Medals, and two awards each for Best Choreography, Best Vocal Performance, and Best Instrumental Performance. In addition, individual vocal awards went to Nate Faust and Addy Marcus.

The award winning Panache’ will be performing on Tuesday, April 10, at 7 p.m. in the annual Scholarship Pops Concert in the Oliver Ames High School Performing Arts Center.

Joining Panache’ will be the award winning Oliver Ames Jazz Band who recently received a Silver Medal at the Berklee Festival and qualified for the State Competition where they also received a Silver Medal. The public is invited to attend.