The Bobby G Awards celebrate outstanding achievement in Colorado high-school musical theatre. The sixth annual awards take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 24, at the Buell Theatre. (Reserve your seat here)

Each year, we single out one category for further recognition on the NewsCenter. This year, we are spotlighting the five schools nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Chorus with a selfie video shout-out (above), along with an Q&A with each school’s Choral Director. Next up: Fairview High School’s Bring it On: The Musical in Boulder.

FAIRVIEW HIGH SCHOOL

Bring it On: The Musical
Janice Vlachos, Director

• How does one become a Choral Director, anyway? I was inspired by my junior high conductor (who just passed away this week). He made choir a safe place to be and encouraged self-expression and a love of music. I wanted to provide that setting for others.
• Which singing range is hardest to find at your school? It depends on the year. This year we have fewer basses than in years past.
• What is the value that a full and robust (and on-key) chorus brings to an overall production? A good chorus is essential for a good show. Every single member of the chorus needs to know who they are and what the offer to the overall production. They need to be passionate and believable. The chorus brings energy to the production.
• What’s the one thing you wish people knew about the chorus of a high-school musical production? Every single person cast in a chorus is essential. There are no gratuitous parts. The members of the chorus are as important as the leads.
• What do you say to a student who is disappointed to ‘only’ be a chorus member?
  I understand your initial reaction and I am sorry for your disappointment. I hope you can take your passion and energy and create a dynamic character within the chorus.
• What is the greatest chorus performance you have ever witnessed? Les Misérables in London

Reserve your seat for the May 24 Bobby G Awards

• What does it mean to your kids to be nominated for a Bobby G Award as a choral ensemble? The students are very proud of the work they put forth to pull off a show like this. Much of the experience (cheerleading and stunting) was foreign to them. They had a blast and expressed such joy. Getting recognition for all their efforts is the cherry on top.




• What has this experience taught you about the value of music education and extracurricular activities at your school? I don’t think the value of music education should need to be justified. All one has to do is come see a show to realize its value. Where else do students have the opportunity to work together to create such a masterpiece?

Selected recent coverage of the Bobby G Awards:

• 2018 Bobby G Award finalists are announced
• 2017 Bobby G Awards: Persistence pays off at Valor Christian
• Video: The 2017 Bobby Awards welcoming montage
• Videos: Complete coverage of the 2017 Bobby G Awards
• 2017 Bobby G Award finalists are announced
• Mamma Mia‘s Cashelle Butler returns to Cherry Creek High School
• Authentic voices: 2017 student playwriting winners announced

Our series of featured Outstanding Chorus nominees (to date)

• Brighton High School’s Once On This Island

Meet our nominated Outstanding lead actors and actresses:

• Jeremiah Garcia, Pomona High School, Arvada
• Elisha Horne, Vista PEAK Preparatory, Aurora
• Coco Justino, Denver School of the Arts
• Anton Karabushin, Eaglecrest High School, Aurora
• Abby Lehrer, Castle View High School, Castle Rock
• Isabella McArdle, Liberty High School, Colorado Springs
• Daelyn Nace, Fort Collins High School
• Dominique Smith-Lopez, Vista PEAK Preparatory, Aurora
• Travis Turner,  Fossil Ridge High School, Fort Collins
• Will Warner, Lakewood High School

More Colorado theatre coverage on the DCPA NewsCenter