Expressions Named Grand Champions

It's been a long year for the Expressions, but they ended the competition phase on a high note last weekend by being named Grand Champions of Show Choir Nationals in Nashville, Tenn.

“It was a wonderful way to end our year,” said Debora Utley, choral director at the school. “The kids work so incredibly hard. They are so dedicated and so talented.”

Not only were the school's singers named grand champions; Buffalo Grove also walked away with best vocal and best choreography awards as well as individual awards for Best Male Performer (Mike Wohlner, senior) and Best Male Solo (Joe Cavaiani).

The Grand Champion Award was the fourth at the invite-only competition, Utley said.

“And this was the 10 year anniversary of the competition, so that made it a little extra special," she said.

Only a sophomore, Cavaiani performed “There’s A World of Pure Imagination,” his first solo competition for the group.

“Oh, my God, I was terrified,” he said. “There were countless amounts of people. You just look out and there were tons. It was really intimidating, but it was fun. It was rewarding at the end.”

Michael O’Konnis, a senior member of Expressions, said everyone worked long and hard to win.

“It feels really good because we put in an entire year of work. This is our last competition of the year. It felt really good to get some recognition for the hard work we put in.”

With nationals now behind them, the Expressions are focusing on “Big Show,” scheduled for May 12-14 at the school. The performance, which carries the theme “Let Us Entertain You,” will feature their competition and fall shows, plus about 15 new numbers, Utley said.