Frightful Shows Face Off at the Rhythm In Red Invitational

By Tonya Chase, West Virginia Contributor

Herbert Hoover "High Impact" performs. | PHOTO: Johnny Adams Photos

Twelve choirs from Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia will converge at Cabell

Midland this week for the Rhythm in Red Invitational in Ona, West Virginia. This event

will host large, medium, and small choirs in the most competitive competition of the

season, where anyone can take home the grand championship trophy.

Among large ensembles, Huntington Illusions continues to improve their “road trip” performance. Illusions have one of the best student lead stage crews in the state, giving their performers the best opportunity to shine on stage. They will be met by Clover Hill New Dimensions from Virginia, and their version of a haunted house show. New Dimensions is coming off a small division win at the Thomas Dale Commonwealth Choral Invitational, sweeping all of the caption awards. Clover Hill also brings their treble group, Iridescence, the only non-mixed group in attendance.

The medium sized choir division favors Herbert Hoover High Impact who already has a win over the other groups in their division. Their "Tell-Tale Heart" show is a twist on the Edgar Allen Poe short story showcasing arrangements that invoke a sense of discomfort. St. Clairesville St. C Singers will aim to conquer the division themselves with an Indiana Jones inspired show that features a human obstacle course guarding the precious artifact.

Small division winners from Robert C. Byrd Vocalfest, Poca High School will be facing reigning West Virginia State Show Choir Festival Champion, Capital Voices in Perfection in the small division. Nitro Show Cats’ pizza parlor has talented soloists and strong dancers making this division an incredibly interesting watch.

Predictions – After years of developing their program, Herbert Hoover High Impact could get their first Grand Championship win. Finishing in second at Capitol Classic, High Impact was able to perform at a high level from start to finish. With choreography by Tara Tober, it will be the most difficult performed at this competition. If they can have consistent vocals and clean choreography, they may find themselves cheering on stage at the end of the evening.

Highest Ceiling – Among West Virginia Choirs, no one has improved their performance level as much as Huntington Illusions, even if results don’t always reflect it. After snow caused a delay in receiving their second costume, Huntington finally seems to be performing the show the way it was envisioned, giving the students confidence as they head into the last half of their season.

Dark Horse – Clover Hill New Dimensions will give the competition a fright with solid vocals and clean choreography. While the show does have slower moments focused on storytelling, the music picks up the energy, making the show fun and entertaining.

West Virgina on the Road

This week finds Robert C. Byrd Vocal Intensity traveling to the Franklin Central Hoosier Show Choir Classic in Indiana to face their most difficult competition of the season against the Carmel Ambassadors and several other strong Indianapolis groups, making it difficult to even make finals. Grove City Voices in the Grove will play host to small mixed choir, Grafton Entertainers, treble group Hurricane Heat Wave, and large mixed Hurricane Red Hot who will be going for their second grand championship win of the season.