Article Photos

Fact Box

If you go

What: Marietta Premiere Show Choir's "Songs and Sweets," includes performances from the choir and alumni, desserts, silent auction and a raffle.

When: 7 p.m. Saturday, doors open at 6.

Where: Marietta High School Auditorium.

Cost: $5 for adults, $3 for children 5 and under.

A strong start to the competitive season for the Marietta Premiere Show Choir is not only due to a lot of hard work, say the singers and dancers, but also a little secret they've figured out.

"When you have fun, you're more likely to win," said senior member Ryan Bober, 18. "We try to have fun and see what happens from there."

The philosophy seems to be working, with the choir placing second in their division at the 27th annual Piqua High School Show Choir Invitational in January, the first of four competitions this school year.

"We were extremely happy with that," said senior Andy Danford, 18.

Anyone who missed that show - or who just wants to see a good one - will have a chance to see the students do their competition routine at 7 p.m. Saturday, at their annual "Songs and Sweets" fundraiser at Marietta High School.

Nine returning alumni will also perform, and there will be a silent auction, raffle and desserts served at intermission.

"Anyone who comes will hopefully see some energetic performances from the alumni and for sure from Premiere they'll see a nice polished show," said director Scott Rieder. "Our theme is love, so they'll hear a lot of love songs."

The students' competition repertoire includes songs from The Beatles, Counting Crows, U2, Rob Thomas and Kelly Clarkson.

"All the songs have a rock theme, so it's a lot of fun, plus it's a love story," said senior Rachel Blauvelt, 18.

It's a largely new choir taking the stage this year, said Rieder, and the students have been growing by leaps and bounds.

"It's really exciting to see their progress and to have the new ones come out of their shells for performing," he said. "It's a learned skill to get out in front of everyone and perform."

Senior Kyle Browne, new to Premiere this school year, said his only regret about joining is that he didn't do it sooner.

"It's a lot of fun," he said. "I had heard about the camaraderie, and it's true. We are like a family."

Rieder himself is new to the position, although he has experience with Premiere - the 1998 Marietta High School graduate was a member himself.

He is leading 25 singers and dancers who are part of the show choir, seven combo members who provide live music for the performances and an all-student behind-the-scenes crew. Performances are choreographed by Brian Turrill, and seniors get to have input into the shows.

"I try to make it as collaborative as I can," Rieder said.

The students will next compete Feb. 20 in Cuyahoga Falls, with two more competitions to follow, although this may be just the start of performing for some.

"I'm going to be a theater major in college," said Danford. "This really has influenced that decision because I've found I love being on stage and being in front of a crowd. It's a great experience to perform."