Music contests, festival set sights on Chase County

    Music will be in the air on several dates this semester, as Chase County Schools hosts three major events involving multiple schools.
    The CCS facility will be used for the annual Show Choir Festival Feb. 14, the SPVA Conference Music Contest March 14 and the District 5 Music Contest April 22.
    Sandwiched in between will be the rescheduled musical performance of “Shrek” in late March, said director/music teacher David Rushing.
    “Yes, it will be busy,” he said this week.
    As CCS has for multiple years, it will again host the western division of the Nebraska Choral Directors Association’s Show Choir Festival on Valentine’s Day.
    Besides the CCS 9th St. Singers, Rushing said there are already commitments to perform from Kimball, Bridgeport, North Platte St. Pat’s, Alliance, Holdrege and Mitchell.
    Start time is still being worked out, he said, based on the judges’ travel itineraries.
    All seven SPVA schools are expected in Imperial for the instrumental and vocal conference music contest Monday, March 14.
    Performances will kick off at 8 a.m.
    Other schools besides Chase County in the conference are Perkins County, Hershey, North Platte St. Pat’s, Sutherland, Kimball and Bridgeport.
    March 14 is a scheduled teacher in-service day, so classes for students will not be held, Rushing said.
    Rounding out the competitions, CCS will host the District 5 Music Contest for schools in the western part of the district on Friday, April 22.
    The instrumental and vocal contests will draw students from Classes A, B, C and D for solo, small group and ensemble competitions
    April 22 is also a teacher in-service day. Classes for students will not be held, but staff will be in the building to assist with the contest.
    Rushing also noted that dates are now set for the musical “Shrek,” which was postponed in the fall after shipping delays and other issues.
    Four performances are planned over the weekend March 25, 26 and 27 in the CCS auditorium. About 40-50 CCS students will be involved in the musical, he said.