GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Green Bay East’s “Rhapsody in Red” had one final tune-up Tuesday at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Green Bay before it heads to the nation’s most prestigious high school show choir competition.
“It means the world to all of us,” said Mikaela Torbenson, a senior at East.
“We’ve been working hard for it,” said Wil Mannion, a senior at East. “It feels good to finally be able to go there.”
The 49-member choir is the only one from Wisconsin traveling to the Heart of America National Competition in Nashville.
Kevin Flogel, the show choir’s director, tells FOX 11 they learned about the deadly tornado in Nashville early Tuesday morning.
“We got a text right away this morning saying we’re waiting, we need to connect with the hotel and with our other venues to see what has happened before we’re sending out final information.”
“The first thing you think of is oh my gosh, how is it going to impact us,” said Kari Mueller, a parent.
“That is just human nature I think, because we put so much time into planning it and then all of a sudden you start realizing with the news, with the death toll, and the devastation, how sad it is.”
At noon, the school got word the resort they’re staying and competing at was spared from any damage.
With the competition still on, students and parents hope they can help those affected.
“We’re actually looking to raise money for the Red Cross,” said Torbenson.
“It’s all coming together really quickly, but we’re hoping that we can get a van of some supplies that we can bring down and bring to whoever, maybe the Red Cross down there or whoever can get the supplies to the people who need it.” said Mueller.
Mannion tells FOX 11 the group says it will do what it can, while hopefully coming home with its original goal for going to Music City.
“They’re top notch and for us to be able to have the opportunity to compete with such extraordinary performers is a blessing really.”
The group is staying at the Gaylord Opryland Resort, which is northeast of where the tornado hit. The students will also be visiting the Wildhorse Saloon, which also wasn’t in the path of the tornado.
The students will arrive in Nashville Thursday, compete on Saturday, and be back in Green Bay likely early Sunday morning.
