News

School's choirs to present an unique spring concert

By Scott Wagar

04/16/2013

Jacque Marum is taking the traditional spring choir concert in the Bottineau School District this week and turning it into a new tradition for the school’s district which will bring singing, dancing, choreography and colorful costumes to the stage of the Holwell Auditorium.

Spring choir concert in Bottineau over the years have held the tradition of the students performing on stage in a formal setting with choir robes.

However, this year the choir robes are coming off, theater costumes are being put on and the students are going to get footloose and fancy free as they present “Time Warp,” a Broadway Review of musical songs from the 1930s to 1980s.  

“I thought this type of show would be something different from past years,” Marum said. “It gives the kids an opportunity to do a type of music they never had the chance to do, and it introduces them into the choir show world.”

“Time Warp” will be performed by grades five through 12 and will include some of the most well known theatrical songs in the history of the United States. Some of the songs that will come alive on the Holwell stage will include Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy from the 1940s; Rockin’ Robin from the 1950s; Aquarius and Let the Sunshine In from the musical “Hair” from the 1960s; Time Warp from the “Rocky Mountain Horror Show”, Seize the Day from the current Broadway play “Newsies”; along with musical melodies from “Ragtime” and the 1970s and 1980s.

The students have been preparing for “Time Warp” for the past two and half months. The students started practicing the music in January and the choreography began in February.

For Marum, this type of musical production was more than just something different than what the students have done in past spring concerts. It was also about introducing them to a new genre of music and preparing them for doing things in life they might feel uncomfortable in doing.

“I choose this type of production because I thought it would be good for them to come out of their shells, which is an important lesson one has to learn in life I feel,” Marum said. “Another important issues for the kids when it comes to choir is what are they going to do with their musical background as they get older. Professionally, they are probably not going to sing in a choir, they can do that for fun, but if people actually want to make a living at it, if they are not going to teach, it is going to be singing and dancing, it is going to be theater, those are the ways to make a living. I am not saying that this is what these kids are going to do in life, but at least it gives them that opportunity, and music goes right into musical theater. So, the production is important because this is where these kids can find their little niches in music.”  

For Katie Gottbreht, a senior at Bottineau High School, she stated that being part of this production is a positive experience for her.

“I am enjoying being part of the show. It takes a lot of dedication, but it has really been fun and something different,” Gottbreht said. “It takes a lot of energy out of us, but it is going to be totally worth it in the end.

“I wish I was a freshman,” Gottbreht added. “That way I could go through this experience three more years.”

Alberto Moncera, a senior at Bottineau High School who will have one of the leads in “Time Warp,” said that being part of this musical review has been different compared to prior years in choir, but it’s an experience he wouldn’t change when it comes to past experiences in choir performances.

“This is a lot different than our regular spring concerts, this is a production. Something we haven’t been able to do in the spring concert is choreography and that is a big part of the show, which I am excited about,” Moncera said. “And, like Katie said it is a lot of work but it is going to be so awarding in the end.”

Moncera, who is a member of the high school drama club and has participated in a musical with Bottineau Community Theater, said that he likes being part of theater, but Marum’s spring production has given him new energy in what he wants his future to be.

“I’ve always wanted to be in musical theater,” Moncera said, who is planning to earn his bachelor’s degree in music. “But now, I really want to be in it.”

Outside of the performance of “Time Warp,” Marum will also be having a silent auction, which will be located just outside the Holwell Auditorium. Proceeds raised by the silent auction will be utilized to assist two important issues to Marum.

“It will go toward re-building our music library,” she said. “And, I’m hoping to start a scholarship fund for our seniors in furthering their education in music.”

Marum said that those who attend the “Time Warp” will have a lot to look forward to.

“Individuals, who attend the spring production, will get a singing and a dancing extravaganza,” Marum said. “Plus, it will be a historical lesson because there will be video references to each decade before the kids come out and perform.

“And, I really want the community to see how hard students have work and the talent they have,” Marum stated.

“Time Warp” will take place this Thursday (April 18) and Friday (April 19) at the Holwell Auditorium with the curtain going up at 7 p.m. each night.