As the Naperville North show choirs shuffle into formation, the lights focus to center stage and all eyes are on the performers. Competition has begun.

After a rigorous practice session on the morning of Friday, March 20, the group of 99 singers embarked upon the last show choir competition of the season in Fairfield, Ohio.

On Saturday, March 21 at the Fairfield Crystal Classic, High Heeled Harmony won Grand Champion and Best Vocals in the single division. Entourage also took home Best Vocals as well as second place in the mixed category. Freshman Lyndsey Cernek won Best Female Vocalist, and the entire show choir combo was awarded Best Combo.

“The best part about competition day is being able to meet new people from all different show choir groups,” said sophomore Christina Provenzano.

The competition consisted of 22 mixed vocalist groups, seven all-female groups and six middle school groups. Each group performed multiple songs along with a live band of high school students. NNHS show choirs performed popular songs like “Am I Wrong” by Nico and Vincz as well as ballads like “Fly, Fly Away” from the musical Catch Me If You Can.

“My favorite song we performed was the ballad ‘Fly, Fly Away,'” Provenzano said. “This song did not have any choreography but I think as a choir we united our voices.”

The second group to compete, Entourage, left the stage with great success. Receiving second place and best overall vocals, this group of 47 students performed a variety of song and dance numbers.

Senior Dana Paulo is one of the Entourage’s dance captains and loves the family that show choir has created.

“Everyone is extremely passionate about what we do,” Paulo said. “It’s really cool to see how we can all come together through music and dance over the season.”

Both of the groups’ successes are a direct result of many hours of practice.

Show choir practices run twice a week from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with an added Saturday rehearsal before competitions. Most students also sing in curricular choir.

“It can be difficult to balance practices,” Paulo said. “The hardest part is getting everyone on the same page. As a captain, I have to work hard to help people learn dances when they miss a practice.”

The choirs have been rehearsing since the beginning of the school year.

“Memorizing dances and music isn’t as hard as you would think,” Provenzano said. “First semester, we practice until we have it memorized, and then second semester we are able to execute it well.”