It was my first time attending the Society Spring Showcase, but it was something I will never forget. The talent on display was unbelievable! A wide variety of acts showcased their talents, including a mixture of A Cappella, FAD extravaganzas, and a Brass Band with audience participation to conclude the show. It truly was a fantastic evening. Yet, the most heart-warming aspect of it all was the community spirit. The audience support mixed with different societies encouraging one another was lovely to witness. Tons of supporters flocked into the hall, occupying the upstairs and downstairs, with many bringing gifts to those they knew performing on stage. The showcase was split into three parts with ten-minute intervals in between, giving the audience a chance to purchase refreshments and debrief on the performances so far.
Deciding on my top performances of the evening was tricky as each society had something truly unique to offer, and all provided memorable performances. However, the following societies really captured my attention. All of the A Cappella performances were excellent! However, The DeciBelles really stood out to me. This female/non-binary group wowed the audience with their rendition of ‘Fur Elise’ by Faouzia. All of the singers complimented each other so well and made reaching the high notes sound effortless! The soloist at the centre of the group was so strong and brought the whole group together. I could really feel a sense of community watching them perform. When I asked Co-Musical Directors Katie and Abby – how important it is to maintain a community feel in The DeciBelles? They responded, “As much as The DeciBelles is about performing and showcasing our talents as a group, it is also about friendship and building bonds with people who share the same interest and passion for singing”. The close bond between them all was demonstrated on stage as they bounced off each other to create a wonderful sound that echoed through the room.
After the first interval, another powerful Broadway Dance routine took to the stage, this time from the Wildcard group. This Taylor Swift mashup of classics allowed each dancer to shine during the performance. The tricks, props and theatrics added character to the dance and had the audience cheering throughout. The glittering matching outfits were classy and professional, and the sharp synchronised movements from all the dancers were extremely impressive. The support from the audience during this performance must have been so encouraging for the dancers, and it was such a delight to watch!
After the final interval, the audience was thrilled to see another performance from K-Choreo, this time, it featured the Girl-Group. The girls danced to two songs, ‘OTB’ by Young Posse and ‘+82’ by BadVillain. Each performer brought such incredible energy to the stage, and it was clear to see how passionate these girls were. From the coordinated outfits to the intricate synchronised dance moves, this performance really stood out, and the audience loved it! I asked the Girl-Group Coordinator, Alyssa – what makes K-Choreo stand out compared to other societies. She said that K-Pop is “A lot more visually appealing as we pay more attention to the formation of the K-Pop routines, lip syncing, and there is a lot of precision that goes into it, which is shown in the great deal of stamina needed to showcase K-Pop dances”. She also said her members for Girl-Group have “improved rapidly since the start of the year!”
As I graduate at the end of this academic year, I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to experience a Society Showcase and to be reminded of the valuable talent that these societies offer!
Words and photos by Isabel Chance