By: Madeleine Willis
In 1983, Manteno Magic Show Choir began a legacy of inspiring an audience through hard work, determination, and commitment. As the group takes the stage to compete in their 40th season, they will “Follow the Light” and put on a show that is energetic and fun.
Michael Snyder began the show choir program at Manteno and, in its first year of competition, the group was composed of 12 girls. The unisex all girls group was originally named the “Panther Show Choir.”
“I learned how to be a show choir director during my first 13 years by doing everything conceivably wrong,” Snyder said.
The group now consists of 23 boys and 25 girls.
Sean Hoffmann, director of choral activities and Manteno show choirs director, said participation is up across the board. Both combo and singer/dancer membership has increased significantly.
“I think Magic is particularly strong this year, and I think they are going to have a great competition season,” Snyder said.
Manteno Magic’s competition show is entitled “Follow the Light,” and they attended their first competition February 4, making it to finals and ultimately taking home third runner up in their division. This upcoming weekend, they will host their own show choir invitational “The Main Event.”
Manteno began hosting its own show choir invitational in 2002. David Conrad, formerly of Manteno Middle School, established this event. With the help of parents, Conrad said a lot of time was spent putting the invitational together.
Conrad came to Manteno in 1998 and taught beginner band, junior high band, and show choir.
Since the start of Main Event, Conrad said he always has been a part of the invitational in some way. He stayed on as a volunteer after he transitioned into the role of principal for Manteno Middle School.
In 2018, during Mr. Conrad’s last year at the middle school, the Grand Championship trophy was named “The David Conrad Grand Champion Trophy,” in recognition of Mr. Conrad and his service to the show choir community.
“I was very humbled by it; it was a very nice touch,” he said.
Mr. Snyder brought Conrad on board with him, and the two worked closely together to arrange music and put together a show. Conrad directed the group for six years.
“I miss the excitement of putting a show package together; that’s what Mr. Snyder and I were most proud of,” he said.
Snyder brought in the help of Mr. Michael Talamonti and Mrs. Karen Parkinson in 2006.
“I had a series of really, really fortunate accidents,” Snyder said, “Between me and Michael and Karen and just the wonderful students, the group took off and started making finals and became the successful group that it is now.”
Talamonti was an alumni of the group, studying nursing at ISU when Snyder asked him to return and choreograph for Magic. Talamonti is still in this role as choreographer.
Parkinson was with the group until the end of the 2021 school year. She was the accompanist and her husband, Don, was also a member of the combo.
Mr. Sean Hoffmann has been the show choir director since 2011. Hoffmann said he works everyday to continue the legacy started so long ago.
Hoffmann said he enjoys working with the kids, “When you watch them on stage, you just root for them.”
Mr. Hoffmann said the current group has the same mindset of wanting to do well but, more importantly, they want to have fun while they do it. He said anything you do is only worth it if you are having a good time.
“They are special because they truly enjoy what they are doing, and they don’t really care about the accolades,” he said.
Hoffmann said it takes a lot of thinking to accomplish what they do; the students are professional performers at such a young age.
“I am honored and humbled to be their so-called leader,” he said.
Manteno High School Principal, Roger Schnitzler, recognized Manteno Magic Show Choir being a part of the district for 40 years as a major achievement.
“I hope it’s good for 40 more,” he said.
Schnitzler said he appreciates the arts in education at Manteno and hopes show choir is here for the long-term.
“Everyone wants to think that in their time on this Earth they create something they want to endure. The fact Magic is around 40 years later and thriving is very satisfying to me,” Snyder said.
