(Chelsea Update would like to thank Sue Whitmarsh for the information in this story.)
For the last 25 years, hundreds of students and literally thousands of audience members have been entertained by the outstanding performances of Chelsea High Schools’s Co.C Show Choir.
This year’s show, Deco Soiree – A Jazz Age Lollapalooza, will be an especially momentous occasion, as the group, formerly called The Washington Street Choir, turns a quarter of a century old.
Show times are Friday, May 15 and Saturday, May 16 at 7:30 p.m. at CHS Auditorium. Tickets are $9 for students and seniors, $12 for adults and are available from Chelsea Pharmacy or at the door.
Often moving, and always uplifting, these shows are the culmination of hours of dedication on the part of the students themselves – this year a 45-strong company – their parents, and, of course, Steve Hinz, CHS’s Director of Vocal Music and Co.C’s founder and leader.
Last year, Hinz was named the 2014 Teacher of the Year by the Michigan State Vocal Music Association, for excellence in teaching, and for being “influential in creating a love and understanding of music for the masses.”
As part of these celebrations, the Co.C Parent Board has been contacting previous Co.C Alumni and asking them how Co.C impacted their lives.
“Reconnecting with my old students has been wonderful,” said Steve Hinz, “To think it’s been 25 years is just astounding.”
One former alum, Amelia Brown, sent in a video from New Zealand where she is currently studying abroad, and it is clear from her words that Co.C had a very profoundly positive affect on her: “I joined Company C as a random attempt to find my place in high school, and very quickly realized how special it was, and what a beautiful, loving world Mr. Hinz had somehow created.”
She went on to say, “I grew enormously in my self-confidence. Mr. Hinz taught me that the cooperation, closeness and effort it takes to produce a show with a group of people is the same closeness that you should strive for in all aspects of life.”
Amelias video can be seen here.
