Throughout the 2023-2024 school year, BVH’s Vocal Music Department (VMD) traveled to a variety of schools throughout California for show choir competitions. VMD students dedicate hours of work during school, after school, during school breaks and on weekends rehearsing for their performances.
For seniors Kaelyn Connors and Vika Thatch this hard work was recognized when they received awards commemorating their performances at the John Burroughs “Music Showcase” competition. VMD assistant director Connors received the Best Performer award and alto section leader Thatch received the Best Soloist award.
“Competition [judges] will pick one student from every choir as an outstanding performer. It’s an award that everyone can be happy about. There are also other awards like Best Soloist and it’s a chance for the whole team to be happy for this one person,” Atwood said.
After every competition, the judges come to a consensus about who should receive each award. Each choir receives both of these awards, it is up to the judges who they pick. Atwood explains that there are no criteria for determining who deserves an award as performers carry a variety of strengths.
“It could be anything. it could be that someone had the best first impressions, was the most energetic or the most committed to their song or choice. It’s usually always someone different,” Atwood said.
The talent that Connors and Thatch exude on stage is noticeable not only to judges, but to Atwood as well. From stage presence to vocal mastery, Atwood shares what he believes makes Connors stand out as a performer.
“[Connors] has a lot of energy and is really committed to the songs we perform. She’s always having fun on stage which is so important,” Atwood said. “In show choir, there is all of this pressure to look good and sing the right notes. But above all else, it’s about having fun which I think Kaelyn encapsulates perfectly.”
While Connors works hard in VMD, she has enjoyed her experience in the program. She shares how the extensive amount of time she has dedicated to her skills has made her successful at competitions.
“I really just love performing with everyone in my choir. It’s a really fun experience. I’ve spent four years in the program, so I’ve had a lot of practice. It’s taken a lot of work rehearsing and competing to get at the level I am at now,” Connors said.
The Best Performer award is special for Connors because it recognizes the immense amount of work she has put into the program. She shares that this award encapsulates the dedication and effort she puts towards the program and expresses deep appreciation for it.
“The [Best Performer Award] means a lot to me because I put so much time into getting good at dancing and doing good facial expressions. I’ve spent a lot of time dedicated to being the best I could possibly be,” Connors said. “So receiving the award validated all of the hard work I put in. It felt nice to be recognized for everything that I’ve worked hard at for four years of my life.”
Receiving an award is special, even for competitors who have not dedicated as much time as Connors has to VMD. Thatch, for example, has only been in VMD for two years, but received the Best Soloist award. They explain how this award feels like a recognition of her improvement in VMD.
“The [Best Soloist Award] means a lot. There are a lot of people who are here for all of high school. I personally feel like I still have room to grow. But, getting that award was my sign that my work has paid off, I’ve succeeded and improved even if I haven’t been in the program that long,” Thatch said.
Thatch was surprised to be receiving the award. They recount the moment the judges called her name up to receive the award. The realization did not hit Thatch immediately, but they were excited and thankful to be recognized as the Best Soloist.
“I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was eating when they announced my name, and I didn’t realize it at first. Then one of [VMD’s] choreographers said ‘Vika that’s you’. It wasn’t until I was holding the medal that I realized I received the award and was really happy,” Thatch said.
Connor’s and Thatch’s success is meaningful for everyone in VMD, including Atwood. He shares the gratitude he feels for his job because it allows him to observe students like Connors and Thatch succeed in show choir.
“I think it’s cool to see students recognized and have their hard work honored. The entire VMD feels that way. It makes me think about how awesome my job is that I get to see the students grow over time and see them get to the point where they receive awards,” Atwood said.
