Choralaires Laura Dakich and Sarah Smitheram
Writer / Geri Neita
ZIONSVILLE COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL’S ROYALAIRES AND CHORALAIRES MADE HISTORY THIS YEAR BY PERFORMING THEIR WAY TO AN UNDEFEATED SEASON.
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nder the direction of Aaron Coates and Deana Broge, both groups rose to every challenge, accomplishing even more than was expected. “They’ve done everything we’ve asked them to do,” Broge said. “This year, in total, has been really strong and fun to watch.” Royalaires have been entertaining local audiences since the mid- to late 1960s with show tunes and popular songs, but it wasn’t until a decade later that competitive show choir emerged. Coates believes that within the last 30 years, the expectation for production value has changed. “Its complexity of movement and the visual aspect have grown the most,” he said, referring to the music, sets and costumes. The duo has successfully co-directed for the past five years, giving each of them
flexibility and the potential to accomplish more, such as splitting up the boys and girls to learn music at a faster pace. “It also allows us to manage our time more efficiently,” said Coates, who chairs the music department. “It has lots of benefits.” Coates arranges all the music for the competition sets himself. Having an inhouse arranger is convenient. It means not having to send ideas to someone else to manipulate and allows for concepts to take shape organically. This season, those ideas brought about two delightful competition sets that are beautifully staged and entertaining throughout. “Aaron and Deana do an outstanding job of evaluating and accentuating the collective strengths of each ensemble,” said Principal Tim East. “The shows this year really bring together the instrumental and vocal musicianship, choreography, costuming and
staging that keeps the audience engaged from the first note to the last. The quality of the shows were clearly worthy of the Grand Champion awards both groups earned at every show they entered this season,” he said. However, Coates and Broge are more than just music teachers. They help build character and shape lives, creating a familylike atmosphere and unifying the groups. “You know that you can rely on everyone else,” senior Mia Kaehler said. “We’re emotional support. We’re academic support.” “The outstanding experiences that our show choirs provide help students develop not only as performers, but also their teamwork, time management and commitment to excellence — dispositions that will serve them well as productive citizens for the rest of their lives,” East said.
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