Happy Holidays
Show Choir Sings Christmas Cheer!
December 16th 2011 by Unknown
By Andrew Cato, SMT Writer
The Dexter Show Choir will be performing Christmas Carols for the public on Dec. 22. The group of 32 students, under the direction of recently-retired DHS choir teacher MaryRuth Boone, have been selling the ‘Singing Christmas Cards’ in an effort to raise funds for the annual Dexter Show Choir performance trip.
“I’ve always tried to provide different ways for students to make money for their ‘trip of the year’ for Show Choir,” Boone said. “This is just one way, but probably the best because it’s 100 percent profit for the students.”
In recent years, the group has performed at Disney World in Flordia, to New Orleans, La., and this past summer toNew York City.
This year, the group is traveling to Branson - a smaller trip in preparation for next year’s big trip to Hawaii.
In Branson, the group will be performing at Silver Dollar City, as the opening act for The Haygoods show, and on the showboat Branson Belle.
“Carols are $10 each, so if a student sells ten of them, they pay for their monthly payment,” Boone said. “Next year, the kids are going to Hawaii, so anything they sell over the cost of the Branson trip will go towards that.”
Boone started the Show Choir as another avenue for her students to express their creativity and perform onstage. The group had humble beginnings, and was closely associated with Dexter High School's choral music program in the early years. The group mainly performed during the annual ‘Pop Concert’ extravaganza, but Boone decided it was time for the group to break out and perform in other venues.
“I’ve done it for at least ten years,” Boone added. “When we started, it was associated with the school, but once we started going on trips, I decided to not have it be sponsored by the school so they didn’t have that liability.”
Boone noted the importance of community involvement for the group of high school students, and the joy this activity brings to those who receive carols.
“It’s a very good community activity; the kids get out and visit a lot of people,” she said. “We usually go to the nursing homes and the hospital and sing, so the kids get out in the community and get to visit with a lot of people that they normally wouldn’t see, and provide a service to the community. We always have a lot of fun with it.”
In Branson, the group will be performing at Silver Dollar City, as the opening act for The Haygoods show, and on the showboat Branson Belle.
“Carols are $10 each, so if a student sells ten of them, they pay for their monthly payment,” Boone said. “Next year, the kids are going to Hawaii, so anything they sell over the cost of the Branson trip will go towards that.”
Boone started the Show Choir as another avenue for her students to express their creativity and perform onstage. The group had humble beginnings, and was closely associated with Dexter High School's choral music program in the early years. The group mainly performed during the annual ‘Pop Concert’ extravaganza, but Boone decided it was time for the group to break out and perform in other venues.
“I’ve done it for at least ten years,” Boone added. “When we started, it was associated with the school, but once we started going on trips, I decided to not have it be sponsored by the school so they didn’t have that liability.”
Boone noted the importance of community involvement for the group of high school students, and the joy this activity brings to those who receive carols.
“It’s a very good community activity; the kids get out and visit a lot of people,” she said. “We usually go to the nursing homes and the hospital and sing, so the kids get out in the community and get to visit with a lot of people that they normally wouldn’t see, and provide a service to the community. We always have a lot of fun with it.”
It’s not too late to purchase a Christmas Carol! Make sure to contact MaryRuth Boone at 573-820-3516 or a member of the Dexter Show Choir by Sunday evening to send your carol!
Photo Above: Dexter Show Choir during its 2010 tour of New Orleans. (archive photo)
Last Updated on December 16th 2011 by Unknown
https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/ul8p/Show-Choir-Sings-Christmas-Cheer
