The Pops Concert is a celebration that marks the end of a fantastic year for Prairie Ridge Choirs. In this concert each choir performs songs from the radio, Broadway and Disney!
The concert is considered extremely entertaining and fun to watch, and this year was no exception! Here are the songs that the choirs performed:

Men’s Choir: “There is Nothin’ Like a Dame” from South Pacific
Beginning Treble Choir: “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair” from South Pacific
Mixed Choir: “Asaka Grow Me a Garden” from Once On This Island
Advanced Treble: “Medley of Disney Princess Songs”
A Capella: “The Room Where It Happens” from Hamilton

Usually the concert also includes a handful of senior solos, but this year choir director Mr. Jensen tried something different. In attempts to make the Pops Concert shorter he made a separate concert to celebrate the accomplishments of the graduating seniors in the choir program:

Michael Shultz “Man of La Mancha” from Man of La Mancha
Brianna Berillo “Hold On” from The Secret Garden
Conner Smith “Jack’s Lament” from The Nightmare Before Christmas
Mika Kaiser “When Will My Life Begin” from Tangled
Kathryn Fejer “If My Friends Could See Me Now” from Sweet Charity
Sean Rochford “You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch” from The Grinch Who Stole Christmas
Ally Arkell “Pulled” from The Addam’s Family
Valerie Sveden “One Perfect Moment” from Bring It On
Reese Sadowski “Santa Fe” from Newsies
Jordyn Preusker “Seventeen” from Heathers
Reilly Branson “How It Ends” from Big Fish
Lexi Viegas “Live Out Loud” from A Little Princess
Joshua Svehla “Live With Somebody You Love” from Martin Guerre
Kasey Theil “So Much Better” from Legally Blonde
Elliott Wesa “You’ll Be Back” from Hamilton
Emily Fitch “More than Just the Spare” from Frozen
Mary Kate Willis “Always Starting Over” from If/Then
Aidan O’Connor “Being Alive” from Company
Giselle Relic “Goodbye Until Tomorrow” from The Last 5 Years

Without a doubt each and every senior had an amazing performance that left a lasting impression on many underclassmen watching. Sophomore Samantha Tucker said, “It honestly inspired me to work harder in choir because I would love to get to the same level those seniors are at. They’re extremely talented and their performances left me speechless.”

Meanwhile some students got sucked into the bittersweet moment: “It was an emotional show that will only make me miss them even more,” said sophomore Katie Svehla.

Seniors were equally touched. Allie Arkell said “I’m so proud of how far each of them have come both as performers, and more importantly, as individuals. It has been a privilege to witness these wonderful people blossom into their unique selves.”

Mr. Jensen agrees with Allie when he says “It will be very hard to see this group of seniors graduate. They have been a part of many very memorable and satisfying musical events over the past four years…events that I have really enjoyed directing. That said, it is always exciting to see the leaders of our program pass the torch to the next class, and embrace whatever comes next in their lives. I look forward to seeing where the future carries them.”

Special recognition awards:
Techie of the Year Award – Kathryn Fejer
J.G. Mackie Award – Giselle Relic
National School Choral Award – Aidan O’Connor
Drama Rookie Award – Ross Relic and Mary Kate Willis
Most Improved Choral Student Award – Jordyn Preusker and Michael Schultz
W.D Moylan Award –  Jacob Surch
Choral Director’s Award – Aidan O’Connor
Female Performer Award – Kasey Theil
Male Performer Award – Reilly Branson