The most wonderful time of the year occurs near the end of second semester at Legacy. Football season finishes up, basketball games take place and the performing arts prepare for their dazzling winter shows. With festive shows including the Silver Spurs’ Hometown Holidays Dance Spectacular and choir’s multiple winter performances, preparation remains the key to success during the holiday season.
Every year, Legacy’s Silver Spurs perform their Hometown Holidays Dance Spectacular along with other Mansfield ISD schools at Dr. Jim Vaszauskas Center for the Performing Arts. The pressure of going straight into the busy holiday season from football season causes the Silver Spurs to carry extra weight and stress.
“During football season, we only had one routine to focus on and practice every single day, which put less stress on us,” junior Avery Ross said. “Right after [football season] is over, we turn around and have to remember almost six dances for the holiday’s which is much more than one.”
Not only do the Silver Spurs feel the stress of remembering their routines but they must remember minute details for every dance that they perform in.
”I am in the team opener, finale, contemporary, all-city hip-hop and all-city jazz of the show,” Ross said. “Having to remember changes or corrections you make on your dances throughout the week during the limited time we have in practice is [extremely] stressful.”
Although stress remains present within the Silver Spurs, their preparation for the holiday season remains apparent and assists them throughout the chaos.
”The holiday season is always crazy,” Ross said. “We started preparing in October even though Christmas is in December.”
Despite all of the stress, blaring music and rustling pom poms, the Silver Spurs persevere through their adversities and bring the holiday spirit for everyone to experience.
”As much stress as it is to remember the dances, what comes along with performing them is very fun,” Ross said. “I love Christmas and I love to dance, so the holiday season is exciting for me.”
As the Silver Spurs prepare for their Dance Spectacular, chamber and show choirs prepare for various holiday events during the hectic holiday season.
“The year for chamber and show choir, we get to perform at Toys for Tots and have our annual winter show,” sophomore Sophia De Leon said. “On Dec. 5, we also get to tour different elementary schools to perform and spread holiday cheer.”
Although the choir can focus on one performance at a time, the importance of remembering specific details lingers over them.
“For the Bella Voce chamber, we have much more music than the other classes,” De Leon said. “[We must] make sure we have every detail and note down for each song.”
During rehearsals, students in choir rigorously work on their music to make sure their performances can successfully bring the festivity of Christmas to others.
”From bell to bell, we are working on our music and rhythms,” sophomore Simone Asake said. “Since our songs are difficult to both perform and sing, we are working hard to do the best we can.”
Under the burden of stress and the pressure of perfection, choir members face the difficulties of preparation as a team.
”Some students are very passionate about choir and critique others, creating tension in the environment,” Asake said. “People can get frustrated easily during this stressful time.”
Even though the holidays remain a stressful time for everyone, the Christmas spirit remains apparent in choir members.
”Even being stressed out, it makes me enjoy the holiday season even more,” Asake said. “There is no holiday season without stress; it just comes with it.”
The preparation for fine arts performances both challenges students involved through stress, however, Ross said it allows for boosting morale and the feeling of holiday festivities among everybody.
”Even though the stress of balancing our multiple dances impacts everyone, the fun that comes with the holidays cannot compare,” Ross said. “No matter what, dancing in front of my friends and family is the best.”
