For all those Gleeks out there – and anyone who’s wondering what the fuss is all about – get on down to Queens Park tonight to see Toowoomba’s first official Glee-slam!
Part of the 2011 USQ Shakespeare in the Park Festival, To Glee or Not to Glee will see secondary schools from across the Darling Downs compete for the ultimate prize of ‘Glee Champion’.
Event co-ordinator, Carley Commens has been working with the schools to bring the individual performances together into a one-night extravaganza which will be presented to the public on Wednesday 12 October.
“The teams have been asked to perform a six-minute song/dance presentation based on themes drawn from A Midsummer Night’s Dream; and each of the seven entries are very exciting and different,” said Carley.
“Toowoomba State High at Mt Lofty has formed a Glee choir especially for the event, with over twenty students from year eight to twelve meeting once a week in the lead up to develop choreography and rehearse their six minute performance, while their Wilsonton campus will also join-in with the spirit of Glee with a smaller choral ensemble.
“The Glennie School’s choir are hoping that a tried-and-true ABBA favourite in their mash-up will score points, while Toowoomba Grammar is sure to win favours when their Grammarphones present an A-Capella performance not unlike The Warblers from Glee.
“Oakey and Dalby will be adding a touch of the dramatic to their pieces, incorporating music and drama students, and the Christian Outreach College choir will bring-it with their rendition of Fireflies.”
The night will also include several special guest performances including the USQ Contemporary Singers; dancers from local hip hop and contemporary dance studio, The Grid; and an appearance by the cast of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
The official part of the evening will see The Chronicle’s self-confessed Gleek, Merryl Miller; together with USQ Lecturer in Singing, Melissa Forbes and local choreographer and dance teacher, Alison Vallette charged with the task of judging.
Presented by the Toowoomba Chronicle, To Glee or Not to Glee will be performed on Wednesday 12 October on the Festival mainstage in Queens Park. Tickets are $5 and available at the gate on the night.
