Galesville, WI (WXOW)-- An acapella choir from Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau High School has been selected to compete in a global music competition. Vocal Point will travel to Cincinnati in a couple of days for the world choir games and they are ready to go.
"We've been doing stuff all year, constant performances, getting the whole stage presence thing down," said Isaac Lavender, a 16-year-old in the group.
But it's not just singing the same songs over and over that keeps this group in sync.
"Tomorrow, to be honest with you, they don't know this yet, we're not even gonna rehearse," said Ryan Stuempges, the choir's director. "We're gonna sit the group down and just kind of reflect on the year. Get their thoughts and perspectives on things. And it really makes the group come together even more."
"It's like a huge family," Isaac said. "I'm friends with everyone in the group."
That sense of family and belonging to a group, is something they all agree can be hard to find in high school.
"We're all from different social groups but when we come together, and singing is our main focus, we can bond over that," said Marah Owecke, a 17-year-old in the choir. "And then we all can just be loud and goofy and stupid together."
For Isaac Vocal point gives him a new enthusiasm for school.
"This has been the first year of school that I've really, really enjoyed," Isaac said. "On the mornings that we have rehearsal, I get up and I'm like, 'Yes, we have rehearsal and I get to go to school today.' And I've never been able to do that."
And while their headed to what is technically a competition, getting first place isn't what matters to these kids.
"We're just there because we want, this is going to be an amazing experience," Marah said. "There's going to be countries and groups from all over the world."
"I'm probably never going to have an experience like this again and that's all I care about," Isaac said. "Winning is secondary."
Vocal Point's sendoff performance will be Tuesday at 7:30 at Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau High School. Admission is free. And following the show choir members will hop on a bus to the competition.
