Burbank High School once again wowed the judges with three choirs all being awarded Grand Champions at their final competition of the season. Celebrity host, Dot Marie Jones, who plays football coach Shannon Beiste on television’s “Glee” assisted in handing out the trophies. As competitions are a showcase for the arts, Dot Marie is a long time advocate for music programs in the schools. She declared on stage to the large audience of students, “You are the ones who inspire us in Glee!”
Nationally ranked number one in 2009 and 2010, the numbers for 2011 are being tallied. In addition to Grand Champions, In Sync came home with Best Choreography, Best Vocals (tying with Burroughs,) Creative Show Design and Best Male Vocalist, Kentucky Clawson. A special award was the 2011 Senior’s Choice, given by the host school, Chula Vista.
With 29 choirs performing overall in the two day event, Sound Dogs, Burbank High’s All Men’s Choir, received the first place Grand Champions spot as well. Additionally, Sound Dogs won Best Vocals, Best Choreography, and Best Male Sound.
Out Of The Blue burst forth with the Grand Champion title as well. Along with that they received Best Vocals, Best Choreography, Best Acapella, Best Female Soloist, Alicia Patterson and Outstanding Male Performer, Dennis Palacio. The adjudicators agreed that “Out Of The Blue” had the Best Moment.
Choir Director Brett Carroll and his assistant, Donna Dandino are passionate about the choirs. It is wonderful to bring home the top awards year after year, however Mr. Carroll and Mrs. Dandino are more than high school show choir directors. As Mr. Carroll reveals, “It’s all about the kids. Everything is about them. They learn much, more than how to sing and dance.” It is through his hard work and that of Donna Dandino, to proritize their guidance of the students to the most important lessons: the magic of acceptance, peer support, confidence, personal growth and the inspiration to be the best that they can be.
These lessons go far beyond the show choir stage. Mr. Carroll’s enthusiasm, has given hundreds of students the inspiration to generate their own momentum to take on whatever adventures and challenges their lives have now and in the future. With Burbank High School’s show choirs, these teens find a safe place where they can be just who they are.
Burbank High Choirs will put on their Pop Show open to the public May 18, 19, 20 & 21. Tickets will be available through the music program and on line shortly.
Additionally both Burroughs & Burbank will be on the same stage performing at the Starlight Bowl on June 11th in what will mark the first time they both will appear together in The American Show Choir Super Show.
