If you’ve ever walked past the PAC during third period and heard the sound of pop music and dancing, you’ve most likely glimpsed Fossil Fusion students preparing for their next concert.
Briana McCormick, in her ninth year as one of Fossil’s choir directors, said there was a desire among students for a different type of choir, the only one of its kind in Northern Colorado. This show choir performs newer music incorporating modern dance techniques.
“We thought that our students would be really excited about it, they love to dance and they love theater so we thought offering that would be something people would want to do,” McCormick said.
Competing at a state level has already been a big accomplishment for this 2-year-old choir, and they would like to perform at the regional level going forward, which is great news for students.
Kaylee Bissell, senior in Fossil Fusion, has been a part of Fossil’s choir program since she was a freshman.
“I didn’t love choral music, but in show choir we sing pop songs. We’ve done songs like ‘Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,’ songs that people actually know. I have more fun singing when other people know the song,” Bissell said.
Senior Maddie Evans recalls listening to music while getting ready for their first performance last year.
“It’s just so much fun hanging out with everyone,” Evans said.
The show choir’s community is special, echoes senior Marley Flanagan.
“We’re all a family, it’s the best part of my day to go to a class where I get to just sing and dance with friends,” Flanagan said.
McCormick incorporates a daily crew activity of fun dancing or singing related activities to bring students together.
“Every day they compete for points to get the choir cup against all the other crews and all the other choirs,” McCormick said, adding these activities help to bring the group together.
Most students in Fossil Fusion repeat the class each year because they have fun doing it, McCormick said. This show choir accepts everyone for auditions and would love to see people with interest in singing, dancing, or theater to audition.
“People that love to sing, that’s who we’d love to see,” McCormick said.
If you have a basic ability to read music and match pitch, show choir might be of interest to you, she said.
“You don’t have to be the best singer or dancer, you just have to have the drive and desire to improve. It’s motivating to work together with everyone and try to improve together. There’s always improvement from the first concert to the last one,” Evans said.
