Old Abe Show Choir

Old Abe Show Choir (OASC)
is our top auditioned show choir open to singers in grades 10-12 for 1/2 credit. Membership requires both a vocal and dance audition and prior membership in the prep show choirs. "Flying Home" is the '07-'08 competition show.

The Old Abe Show Choir from Eau Claire, WI was founded by George Utphall in 1989 and has been under his direction for the past 19 years. Choreography is by popular choreographer Denise Edwards. The group is one of eight choirs at Memorial High School, serving 400 students.

Over the past 5 years the Old Abes have consistently placed in the finals, and received numerous Grand Championships, Best Vocals, Best Choreography, Best Combo and Vocal Jazz Championships. This year the group will host their 16th Annual Winterfest Invitational and will appear at, Monona Grove, Hastings, Holmen, Waconia and Altoona.

Current Show
The Old Abes are happy to present their 2007-2008-competition show. Songs include "Kyrie", "I Wanna Be a Dancin' Man", "Flying Home", "C'mon Everybody" and "Jump."

Director
George Utphall

Singers/Dancers

Showband

Crew

Choir Representatives

Old Abe Show Choir Co-Representatives:
Lydia Floren (Lydia@florenclan.com)
Valerie Valero Valerova@uwec.edu

Co-Choir Representatives assist with the needs of their child’s choir and represents their child’s choir at the MHS Choir Boosters’ membership meeting. Some of the co-choir representative responsibilities include chairing calling committees for their assigned choir, assisting fundraiser chairs in recruiting volunteers as needed and recruiting ushers for all concerts and solo and ensemble along with reporting who is ushering to co-vice presidents ahead of time.

Treble choir, Mixed choir and Concert choir need to have 2 ushers recruits per/concert.

Due to the smaller size, Men of Memorial need only 1 usher recruit per/concert.

Show choir representatives do not need to recruit ushers, but may be asked to recruit chaperons for bus travel, hotel chaperons for overnight stays and/or help organize or recruit volunteers to organize other group gatherings.

All representatives may also be asked by their child’s director to assist their child’s choir in other ways, (example: handing out robes…).

Grading

By its nature, grading in this group can be a bit vague so I have made an attempt to explain the basis for your grade. I know that most of you are excellent students and for people like you the best surprise in a quarter grade is no surprise.

Quarter Grade Make-Up

Explanations

Effort - It is assumed you will exhibit a high degree of commitment and energy because, as you all know, that's what makes the Old Abe Show Choir great.

Preparation - There never seems to be enough time in the hour to get everything done. Consequently , there needs to be a fair amount of outside practice on the music and choreography to bring us all to the level of performance that people have come to expect of us. So PRACTICE.

Attendance - This one is the toughest- the expectation is that you will never miss a performance or an outside rehearsal but sometimes (rarely we hope) something may get in the way. We expect this group to be one of your highest priorities but in the event that you must miss we will allow some make-up. On the subject of daily attendance; you have been selected in part because of your good attendance record- keep up the good work.

Some reminders:

1) Our choir and our performance will be limited only by our least prepared member. Let's bring everyone up to "A+" level

2) In any artistic endeavor details make the difference.

3) You are a wonderful group of caring musicians. Take time this year to enjoy each others' company.

4) This year will go by far too quickly for us and then it only lives in our memories. Start now to make those memories the best they can be.