Buffalo Grove High School Teachers Rock in 'BG Idol'

Fifteen staff members traded their classrooms, computers and grade books for a stage and musical instruments Wednesday, when they sang their hearts out in the sixth annual installment of “BG Idol.”

Organized by the Student Council, the event saw teachers don long wigs, rapper outfits and even an Elvis getup, all in the name of raising money for Autism Speaks.

Students packed the auditorium for the competition, which stretched over all three lunch periods.

Although most teachers appeared to enjoy their time in the spotlight, Rich Schram, a teacher who helped organize the event and performed a rollicking send up of Axl Rose of Guns N’ Roses, said it wasn’t easy.

“There’s a lot of nervousness about going up there,” he said. “Most of them aren’t trained singers, so they’re a little nervous doing something out of their comfort zone.”

He encouraged his fellow teachers to take part by citing his own lack of stage acumen, he said.

"I try and do it every year. I know I’m not particularly good," he said. "But I try to put it out there by saying, 'Look, I can do it, and you can definitely do better than me.'"

Teacher Mike McCabe drew the most laughs when he walked on stage as an overstuffed Elvis, complete with a wig, glasses, white jump suit and huge pillow stuffed in his stomach, to sing “Viva Las Vegas.”

That was balanced by Kevin Trow who accompanied himself on the piano to a  cover of Coldplay’s “Fix You” and Brian Vander Ark, who played guitar and sang “I’ll Be” by the Goo Goo Dolls.

Last year’s event raised $1,600 for Autism Speaks, and organizers were hoping to surpass that amount this year.

Each teacher collected money in a bucket before the event. The buckets were placed on stage during the show for any last-minute donations.