Friend de Coup show choir welcomed home after win

Tired, proud and flush with victory, the 70-member Friend de Coup show choir and band drew the applause of classmates, teachers and parents at Mitchell High School Monday evening.

The brief welcome-home celebration capped a remarkable season that culminated with last weekend’s win of the FAME National Show Choir contest in Orlando, Fla.

“I’ve never seen so much hardware,” joked Mitchell Mayor Lou Sebert as he directed audience attention to table crammed with the season’s trophies.

“Thank you for what you’ve done for yourselves, your parents, your school district and the city of Mitchell,” said Sebert.

He praised the group for their dedication, hard work and commitment.

Principal Yvonne Palli said the season’s crescendo in Orlando was a “grand day for Mitchell High School.” She told the group that the experience will be a memory they and their parents will cherish for a lifetime.

Friend de Coup director Chris Miller, the event emcee, donned a souvenir yellow parka from the weekend, a reminder of the rains that plagued attempts to enjoy the rides and amusements at Orlando.

Group member Anna Bartscher told the audience that she joined Friend de Coup for the music but truly grew to enjoy the competitions. “After we started winning, I got addicted to it,” she said.

Most emotional was instrumental director Julie Van Gorp, who told the audience that her band dug deep when it had to.

“We were six-tenths of a point behind in the scores going into the final event, but I knew my group could do it,” she said. “I told my guys to just ‘bring it,’ and they did.”

Mitchell’s band took first place in the competition.

“You’re the best kids in the world,” she said. “Thanks for everything you’ve done for me.”

Miller seconded the emotion.

“I was proud of you before we won,” he said, “but this has been quite a run for the Mitchell show choir.”

Miller urged local support for this weekend’s Mitchell Show Choir Classic, when Friend de Coup will host a 17-school show choir event at the Corn Palace.

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