MHS show choir swings and sways to pop hits

• Friend de Coup

Alison Day, left, and Andrew Paulson dance along to the ’70s hit “Y.M.C.A.” at an Up With Show rehearsal Tuesday. (Photos by Jennifer Jungwirth/Republic)
• Daniel Pacenka

Daniel Pacenka rehearses for Friend de Coup’s show, which opens at 7 p.m. today at Mitchell High School.
• Ellie Kenkel

Ellie Kenkel rehearses for Friend de Coup’s show, which opens at 7 p.m. today at Mitchell High School.
• Chelsea Morken

Chelsea Morken rehearses for the Friend de Coup’s show, which opens at 7 p.m. today at Mitchell High School.

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Mitchell High School senior Andrew Paulson has been working hard in show choir since the fifth grade. Now in his final year of competition, he’s ready to put his best effort forward, along with the rest of the 72 dancers and singers in Friend de Coup.

The Mitchell show choir’s annual fundraiser, Up With Show, opens at 7 p.m. today in the high school auditorium. Tickets are $8 and are available at the door.

Centered on the theme “American Pop Forever,” Friend de Coup will dance and sing to America’s hottest pop hits from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s. Songs include ’70s hits “Y.M.C.A.” and “Boogie Fever,” and “Gonna Make You Sweat” from the 1990s.

“We’re celebrating the music,” said Friend de Coup director Chris Miller.

Students began rehearsing in August for Up With Show, which also includes 20 solo performances by show choir members.

Paulson said that Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” and “Danger Zone” by Kenny Loggins are two of his favorite dance numbers.

“ ‘Eye of the Tiger,’ it’s a sweet song,” he said. “But it’s also the most intense choreography we have.”

He added that the ballad, “Who I Am,” highlights the group’s vocals rather than their choreography, adding a nice mix into the show.

Up With Show is the first routine in a busy season for Friend de Coup. The group has begun learning its competition routine, which Miller and students have promised to be high-quality.

“It’s going to be insane this year,” Paulson said. “And a lot of work.”

Miller said the dedication he’s seen students put into the Up With Show routine has given him a positive outlook on the competitive season.

“The students are working extremely hard and having a lot of fun in the process. Those two things combined usually signal an amazing season,” he said.

Friend de Coup ended last year’s season with two grand champion awards along with a second- and third-place finish. The show choir also reeled in multiple awards for best band, vocals and choreography.

Friend de Coup welcomed new members this year. At least half of the show choir is comprised of new faces, Miller said, and a majority of those are freshman.

“These kids have really stepped up and bought into the process,” Miller said. “At the same time, our upperclassmen have stepped up and really defined the work ethic for everybody. It’s been a healthy balance of hard work.”

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