The curtains went up after the host announced the next group of performers. A group of girls clothed in glitzy, salmon dresses and guys sporting suits and ties that matched the hue of the girls’ dresses, appeared on stage. The room filled with music, and spirits began rising as the teenagers danced in sync with their singing. A group formed by students from many different areas of the state proved to set themselves apart from other show choirs performing at the competition, earning a grand championship.

Three RHS students, sophomores Maggie McGuigan and Jordan Oldham and freshman Joci Scott, are part of the competitive show choir Entertainment, Talent and Commitment (ETC). ETC has been performing for 36 years. Each weekend in their season (January through March), performers present their choreographed numbers, competing with other choirs hoping to bring home a grand championship. This year, Nick Campagna, musical director of two years, helped to accomplish this goal. Campagna described the atmosphere of show choir competitions.

“[Competitions are like] an alternate dimension. It resembles a combination of a choir concert, dance and cheer competitions, a carnival, an awards banquet, after-school dances, and beauty pageants,” Campagna said.

The competitions, which involve 12 to 18 hour days consisting of preparation, watching other groups and tweaking choreography, can begin at 4:30 in the morning and last until midnight, when hosts present the final awards. The competitions are just the final result of ETC’s weekly 1:30 to 5:30 rehearsals on Sundays and extra practices they have right before a performance.

Scott, a two year member, explained the basic premise of the show choir and what they do while performing at competitions. In addition to four song and dance numbers, the group performs a ballad with no movement. She pointed out the challenge of changing quickly backstage, which the group does twice.

“Basically, we have a set of songs, and we dance in four of them. In between songs, we have costume changes backstage, which is where the guy and girl numbers come in. The girls change while the guys sing, and the guys change while the girls sing.,” Scott said.

Oldham, a three year member, danced for eleven years and always had a knack for singing and performing. She found ETC a “perfect” fit. She described the choir’s dynamic and what sets them apart from other groups and praised the group for the experiences and lessons she has already learned from her participation. She believes they are like a family even though contrast between each individual exists.

“We gather from fourteen different high schools . . . . We all have our backstories and are able to come together as a team despite our differences. They are some of the most supportive people I know. I have been able to meet my best friends through show choir. ETC has taught me more about myself than anything, or anyone rather, could,” Oldham said.

ETC placed at all seven of their competitions this season, including a fourth place award, five second place awards, and winning the grand championship at Grove City’s Voices in the Grove 2014.

Oldham brought McGuigan to ETC’s open house three years ago when she joined and “fell in love with it” from the start. McGuigan expressed her favorite part about ETC and why all of the work put in pays off. She compared the group to a family and admired the chemistry between everybody.

“The most rewarding part about ETC is being able to take the stage with the people you spend countless hours rehearsing with and putting on a show for the audience,” McGuigan said.

Scott discussed one of the most difficult factors of being a member of ETC.

“One of the hardest parts is letting it all go at the end of the season. The spring gala [we perform in] is the last time we all are together, and the seniors are leaving,” Scott said.

With a final, well-choreographed bow, the performers exited the stage. The audience roared with excitement over what they just witnessed. Hours later, the group was announced to have won first place. Victoriously, they accepted their gold trophy and posed for countless photos. It did not signal a complete end to the season, for they met a final time April 6 to give their last encore.