MHS's Miller named top new director

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Chris Miller, director of Mitchell High School’s Friend de Coup show choir, will bring home some glittering hardware Sunday.

Miller, 34, received the “Best New Show Choir Director” award Friday at the FAME Aspire awards banquet at the Westin Hotel in Indianapolis, Ind. The event was part of the National Show Choir Championships weekend.

“There’s stiff competition for all these awards, so it was an honor just to be nominated,” Miller said in a Friday night telephone interview. Miller was one of three nominees up for the best new director honors.

He described his Aspire Award as an “Oscar-esque” trophy.

“It’s very cool — and very heavy, too. Hopefully, it will fit in my suitcase as I fly back to Mitchell on Sunday.”

Balloting for the event is handled by a private accounting firm, Miller said, so no one knew the winner’s identity until the envelope was opened.

“I understand now why people have difficulty coming up with the right things to say at that moment, because I really wasn’t expecting to win. I just wanted to be here with other music professionals in the show choir industry.”

He plans to remain in Indianapolis today for the show choir championships. Friend de Coup will not be participating.

“I just get to watch and see who becomes national show choir champion this year,” he said. “It will be much more relaxing than being a competitor, that’s for sure,” he said.

Miller said he hopes to get back to Mitchell in time to catch his daughter Madison’s dance recital Sunday at the Corn Palace.

Since Miller has been with Friend de Coup, the group has won nine grand champion trophies, including a National Grand Champion title at the FAME competition in Orlando, Fla., last year. In addition to top honors, Friend de Coup has reeled in numerous choreography, best band and best vocal awards in the past four years.

Miller is a 1995 graduate of Mitchell High School and performed with Friend de Coup while a student.

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