Singing the tune “There’s No Business like Show Business,” some sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-graders at LaGrange Highlands Middle School got to experience a large part of being in the business. They got to audition.
They recently tried out for 20 openings in the school’s 33-year-old show choir.
“It was nerve wracking,” said Leah Miles, a seventh-grader from Western Springs. “I really love singing. I really want to make it because a lot of my friends are in it. I just really want to make it.”
To gain entrance to the group, the students had to not only pass a singing test, but exhibit their ability to learn dancing skills. They gathered in music teacher Tammy O’Reilly’s classroom to learn some simple moves: a couple grapevines and a pivot-turn while singing the song.
“It can’t be too elaborate where they can’t breathe and things like that,” said O’Reilly, who formed the group when she first came to the school more than three decades ago.
After teaching the group the moves, she told them she was looking for that certain something that’s hard to describe.
“I’m looking for pizazz,” she said. “I’m looking for that ‘it’ factor that can’t be defined, but you can’t stop looking at that person.”
That ability to smile and express feeling is important, she said.
“No one wants to invite a bunch of singers over who look crabby,” she explained.
The show choir performs throughout the school year for other schools, senior residences, churches and other organizations.
Being part of 36-member show choir is a good confidence builder, said O’Reilly, who has seen previous members blossom.
“I’ve seen them grow in poise and confidence just from presenting themselves in public,” she said.
The group practices one morning and one evening a week.
The large majority of those seeking entrance to the group were girls. A few boys, including Noah Grzegorek of La Grange, also tried out, though he was less enthusiastic than Leah.
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“My sister was in it. She forced me to try out,” said Noah, a seventh-grader, who is a tenor.
While it didn’t appear Noah would be upset if he didn’t make the choir, Leah was sure she wanted in.
“It’s so beautiful. I just want to sing with them,” she said.
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