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Three years ago, Robert Jones and Tim Rortvedt formed an adult show choir in La Crosse, Grand River Singers, which are the hosts for the final of four Coulee Region show choir invitationals this season.
“Our first year was very successful, and we have three groups returning, and the caliber keeps going up,” Jones said. “Down the road we’re looking at a bigger competition, and we’ll have the La Crosse area show choirs here, too.”
The invitational starts at 1 p.m. Friday, with five concert choirs competing, including Holmen High School Concert Choir and La Crosse Aquinas Robed Choir. University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Concert Choir will sing in exhibition at 3:30 p.m.
Seven high school show choirs will compete Saturday in the show choir contest. Onalaska Middle School’s two show choirs kick-off the show starting at 9 a.m. Viterbo University’s Platinum Edition will perform in exhibition at 4:30 p.m. The Grand River Singers will perform at 9:30 p.m.
“At first we were trying to find out who we are, and now we’re finding our niche,” said Tim Rortvedt, who leads the band. “We’re a vocally solid group.”
Jones, the group’s choreographer, said the ensemble is like a high school show choir, but goes to the next level of professional performers with a theme park or cruise ship like show.
If You Go
WHAT: 2008 Grand River Show Choir Invitational
WHEN: Concert choir competition 1 to 3:30 p.m. Friday; show choir competition 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, with finals at 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: La Crosse Center South Exhibit Hall
TICKETS: $5 for Friday concert choir competition; $10 for the day or finals, $15 all day for Saturday show choir competition
PRIZE MONEY: This competition offers cash prizes, including $2,500 for the best show choir and $1,500 for the first runner-up to offset show choir expenses such as travel, choreography and costumes.
MORE ONLINE: For more show choir news, go to www.lacrosse tribune.com/showchoir
Contact Terry Rindfleisch at (608) 791-8227 or trindfleisch @lacrossetribune.com.
