Choir Cabaret showcases high school’s musical talent

Nov. 15 fundraiser to benefit student enrichment

by Emily Canning-Dean

For the fourth year in a row, Hudson High School students plan to dazzle the community with their musical talent during the 2024 Choir Cabaret.

Choir Cabaret will take place Friday, Nov. 15, at 7 p.m., at The Center, 4157 Hudson Dr.

“There will be performances by the men’s and women’s choir, as well as the chamber choir and our women’s audition choir, Bella Voce,” said Jacob Moore, director of choirs at Hudson High School. “Those choirs will do one piece each, and then we will have a showcase of the talent at our high school with solos, duets and small groups.”

Moore said students auditioned in late October to be part of the cabaret event.

“Usually we have between 25 and 30 that audition, and then there will be 14 to 18 of the most superb auditions who will perform at the choir cabaret,” he said. “A lot of our soloists choose musical theater pieces or it could be modern pop or country so it is very eclectic. I’m always blown away by these auditions. It is humbling to work with all these students who have so much talent.”

While Choir Cabaret is an opportunity to showcase the musical talent at Hudson High School, the event also serves as a fundraiser. Proceeds are used to fund a myriad of opportunities for music students in Hudson.

“One of the things I noticed that was missing for the choir program was a large-scale fundraiser,” Moore said. “This fundraiser helps fund things like having a composer come in to write a piece of music for us like we did during the 2022-23 school year or to help fund international trips like the 10-day tour our chamber choir did in Ireland the summer of 2023. We want to be able to afford these kinds of opportunities for our students.”

Moore said proceeds from this year’s cabaret will help to fund a trip to perform at Disney and hopefully an opportunity for the chamber choir to perform a tour in Italy.

Anyone interested in attending the Choir Cabaret can find ticket information at hudsonhighchoirs.com. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students.

“The Center holds 300 people, and we usually do sell out, so it’s a good idea to purchase tickets in advance,” Moore said. “We won’t turn anyone away at the door, but they might have to stand in the back if there isn’t seating.”

Moore said the event will include refreshments as well as a silent auction and raffle baskets.

“We have a lot of great things like tickets to Cavaliers and Browns games as well as some great packages put together by some local businesses,” Moore said. “Our community has always been very generous, willing to help us out.”

Moore added that Hudson High School music and drama students have also received some regional recognition. Back in the spring, the school received a Cleveland Dazzle Award for best musical for the school’s performance of Into the Woods. The school also received a Dazzle Award for best scenic design and best student orchestra. HHS senior Lindsey Ross took home an award for best actress and traveled to New York to perform at the National High School Drama awards.

“Also, one of our students, Ryan Heckroth, earned a musical apprenticeship where he had the opportunity to play in the pit at the Dazzle Awards in Cleveland,” Moore said.

Moore said he hopes the community will show up for the Choir Cabaret so they can see the talent the students at HHS possess.

“It’s a fun evening for our students to show off their talents and it’s a great community event,” he said.