By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
Glasgow High School’s own A capella group, The Accidentals, were named national champions in show choir after their victory at the Beta National Convention on Monday.
Seventeen GHS students, from all grade levels, made the roughly two hour journey to compete against various other high schools at the National Beta Convention, held in Louisville. The group’s performance of “Total Eclipse of the Heart” placed them first in the nation edging out the previous years winner, Bleckley County High School, who placed second.
Shepherd said they originally performed this song at the state competition, but conflicts forced the group to make last minute changes to the performance.
“We had prepared this piece for our state competition in January and we planned to go to nationals but it kind of fell through for quite a few of us so we actually had to reinvent the whole thing last week,” Shepherd said. “We were pleasantly shocked when we ended up winning…. We were prepared but we went into it with very little expectations.”
At 17 performers, the Accidentals were among the smallest groups to at the convention.
Shepherd said this win represents the hard work done by the students and she is excited to see what they do next school year.
“I feel more than just happy,” Shepherd said. “I feel it’s very validating for the kids and the program in general. It leaves me with a really good feeling about where we’re headed.”
Depp Alexander, a recent graduate from GHS who began singing with the Accidentals his freshman year, arranged the music. He said it has always been “one of his favorite songs.”
“Mrs. Shepherd asked us if there were any songs we wanted to do and I said that song would be epic because it has so many key changes and so many different emotions to it,” Alexander said. “So she said ‘why don’t you try to arrange it?’”
He began arranging the music over Thanksgiving Break and did not finish until early January. In total, it took him roughly two months to complete.
Alexander said his post graduate plans include attending the University of Louisville and hopefully continuing his musical escapades.
“It just feels really, really crazy because… I’m thinking of going to school for composing or music production so I feel [this] is a big milestone for me,” Alexander said. “It’s pretty crazy.”
Garcia said he is also planning to attend U of L for music education and is overjoyed to end his high school career at the top.
“Honestly, this is probably the last thing I’ll do that’s high school related…. It feels nice to end on such a high note,” Garcia said.
West added that he hopes for a “repeat next year.”
Later this week three more schools in the Glasgow Independent district, South Green, Highland and Glasgow Middle, are scheduled to compete at the convention.
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