21st Annual Showzam! Takes the Stage January 20-21

When the lights go up, the voices come on – and the audience won’t be disappointed in what they hear.

Preparations are well under way for the 2017 Showzam! show choir weekend, January 20 and 21 at Johnston High School. The event, now in its 21st year, is hosted Showzam logo Showzamby Johnston school show choirs and the Johnston Vocal Parent Association. Eight school districts will visit Johnston to compete with their 4A (varsity), prep (junior varsity), or middle school groups. Johnston show choirs Innovation, Synergy, Sound Advice, Impact, and Fusion will have exhibition performances throughout the weekend. Their performance times are:

  • Fusion: Friday 4:30 p.m.
  • Impact: Friday  5:50 p.m.
  • Sound Advice:  Friday 9:20 p.m.
  • Synergy:   Saturday 11:30 a.m.
  • Innovation:  Saturday 6:00 p.m.

“Showzam! generates a lot of energy and enthusiasm in the show choir community,” said JHS vocal director Hannah Ryan. “Our guests travel from across the region to put on their best. It’s not often you get to see so many top-notch groups perform in one place. We are proud of the event and hope for our best year yet in 2017.”

On January 20, Summit Middle School group Fusion will kick off the evening’s competition with an exhibition performance at 4:30 p.m. in the high school gymnasium. Middle school performances will be held the rest of the evening, with the last group competing at 9 p.m. Johnston Middle School’s Impact will perform at 5:50 p.m. and Sound Advice will perform while scores are tallied at 9:00 p.m.; awards are expected to be announced at 9:30 p.m.

On Saturday, January 21, the Class 4A and Prep take to the JHS gymnasium stage to compete. Ankeny Centennial’s Rhythmic Momentum starts the day with a performance at 7:55 a.m. At mid-day, Johnston’s Synergy will take the stage at 12:20 p.m. The last day time performancewill be held at 5:30 p.m., by the Ankeny Centennial Spectrum group. Johnston’s Innovation show choir will perform at 6:00 p.m. while scores are tallied; awards will be announced at 6:30 p.m. Following a dinner break, the top six groups will perform Saturday evening in the finals round.

Members of the community are invited and encouraged to attend. Tickets prices are:

  • $10.00 Friday night
  • $10.00 Saturday Daytime or Saturday Finals only
  • $15.00 Saturday ALL DAY Pass
  • $5.00 Showzam! program

Doors open to the public on Friday afternoon at 3:30 p.m., and Saturday morning at 7:30 a.m. Guests should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled performance since gym doors will only open between show choir performances. Admission is cash only, but credit/debit cards are accepted for all other purchases.  Food from local vendors will also be available throughout the competition. Food from local vendors will also be available throughout the competition.

“Our weekend relies on participating groups and a full audience to make it a success, as well as our fabulous student and parent volunteers,” said Matt Stahr, Showzam! volunteer and member of the Johnston Vocal Parents Association. “Preparation for these 48 hours starts long before the show choir season gears up. We love this opportunity to show our community the hard work that goes into each and every performance. It’s an amazing display of talent.”

For more information, visit the Showzam! website or contact Matt Stahr at 515-954-8389.