MarthaEngel

Show Choir isn’t a recognized sport, but for the members of Momentum, Marian’s show choir, it’s more than an extracurricular commitment. On Jan. 4, the show choir started their season with the Show Choir Showcase, taking center stage.

Show choir, which has been at Marian since 2016, combines dancing and singing in a 15-minute performance around a central theme. This year’s theme, “Bad Self Portraits,” focuses on self image and how photos reflect personality. Directors Mrs. Michelle Delisi and Miss Madeline Reddel chose the theme over summer break. 

Senior Jadin Martinez, a dance captain and member of the show choir, joined because she “had already been doing show choir for about two years in middle school,” she said. She then “decided to continue with it freshman year with hopes of it being easier to make friends,” Martinez said. The years of rehearsals and competitions have transformed her early love of show choir into a passion and, now, a leadership role. 

As a dance captain, Martinez is “someone that the team can rely on whether that be with dances or just someone to talk to,” she said. Beyond this, the role means “helping to improve the team visually while also maintaining a positive atmosphere in the team,” she said. The team has had two competitions this season, one at Gretna and one at Westside, and Martinez ensures that the dances are perfected for each competition. 

Show choir is not only made possible by the two dozen members, but also the band and the roadies. The show choir band, made up of Marian and Prep students as well as professional musicians, travels to each high school and plays the five songs in the performance. The roadies, all Marian students, assist the show choir members with quick changes, costumes, and props. Everyone involved in show choir is important to ensure a smooth performance. 

Amidst the hours of rehearsal and competitions, show choir members form relationships with each other; “My favorite part of show choir is definitely meeting the sweetest girls ever!” sophomore Aubrey Mattox said. “I have met my closest friends, and I love being on stage with the people I’m closest with,” she said. 

Martinez agreed saying, “To me, show choir is my safe space and my family. I have loved my years in show choir, and have grown a great friendship with everyone.”

“Show choir is my past and present, and I love having this part of me,” Martinez said.

Show choir competes nearly every Saturday, with the next competition on Feb. 3 at Papillion-LaVista Marian students are able to attend these competitions, showing support for the arts and cheering on their classmates

For show choir members, it’s more than a club or an activity. “It’s a huge part of my life and feels like home,” Mattox said.