(Chelsea Update would like to thank Lisa Hinz-Johnson for the photo and information in this story.)
Are you looking for a great way to beat the cold and enjoy some great entertainment?
Chelsea’s own Company C, under the direction of Steve Hinz, presents its annual winter choral and dance extravaganza, Showcase 2014, Saturday, March 1, at 7 p.m. in the Chelsea High School Auditorium.
Chelsea’s award-winning high school performance ensemble will be joined by choral ensembles and show choirs from around the state of Michigan in this festive evening of music and dance.
Adrian, Battle Creek Lakeview, Fenton, Greenville, and Tecumseh high schools will share the stage with Co. C in this annual community favorite performance.
As a special feature, this year’s Showcase will open with the popular Chelsea House Orchestra, under the direction of Jed Fritzemeier.
“It’s impressive what these students are able to accomplish in just a few weeks’ time. Co. C is only a winter-spring activity, and they began learning the music in January. Both music and choreography are taught in those first few weeks of January,” says Hinz.
Highlights of Company C’s performance include preview selections from its upcoming spring show, One Voice—Across the Pond, which celebrates music, composers, artists, and lyricists from Great Britain. Featured tunes in their Showcase performance include Back in the U.S.S.R., Fields of Gold, One Thing, Don’t Stop Me Now, Don’t Bring Me Down, Wings, and Live While We’re Young.
Hinz is very proud of the hard work and camaraderie this year’s group has shown. “We recently finished our choreography weekend, followed by our intense-but-fun working retreat, and we’re ready for Showcase. We’ve had the great experience of working with University of Michigan Musical Theatre majors this year, and their choreography is bringing a fresh new perspective to the group.”
Company C alumna and U of M student Kaci Friss was joined by fellow U of M students Mackenzie Orr, Meg Aldridge, and Jake Hillman.
Hinz’ wife, Lisa Hinz-Johnson is Co. C’s music arranger and assistant director.
Hinz recently was named Michigan Vocal Music Teacher of the Year, by the Michigan State Vocal Music Association. He has worked diligently to create a vocal music program that has both excellence and integrity.
The mission of the Chelsea High School Music Department is to establish inspirational and enjoyable classrooms where a balanced deliver of instruction challenges the advanced students while embracing the needs of the novice musician.
In this environment, students become creative problem solvers, self-motivated and enthusiastic musicians, and become aware of the role of music in many world cultures, while pursuing the highest standards of performance excellence.
“We definitely focus on building excellent music and performance techniques, but we also focus on cultivating a supportive atmosphere for everybody in our group. To me, that is a necessary component of a great learning environment, and these kids know how to support and love one another,” says Hinz.
Tickets for the Showcase 2014 are on sale at the Chelsea Pharmacy and at the door the night of the performance for $10 per person.
