Wes Chaplin is excited to serve as our master of ceremonies today.  Wes is no stranger to the show choir world, both from his days as a sequin-clad performer with Nevada, Iowa High School’s Starburst, Inc. to his years of adventures assisting his wife with her many competing groups and clinics.  During the week, you can find Wes working in his “real” job as an attorney at Kreykes & Chaplin, PLC in Pella, Iowa, but on weekends, he enjoys sharing the stage with hundreds of the best young people in the world as he emcees numerous show choir competitions.  In his free time, Wes is passionate about endurance sports, and has completed over 100 triathlons, including Ironman triathlons in France, Austria, Switzerland and Arizona.  Wes is thankful that his lovely wife of 30 years, Michelle, is tolerant of his need to dance awkwardly onstage on a regular basis, much to her chagrin. He’s excited to introduce you to all of the wonderful students who will be performing today!

Classic Connection is the varsity show choir at Sioux Falls Washington High School.  This year they will compete at Sioux Falls Jefferson, Burke, Sioux Falls Roosevelt, Lincoln Southwest, O’Gorman and Aberdeen as well as hosting the 25th Annual Best of Show.  They would like to thank their band-Quacko, stage crew-The Sea Turtles, and their parent boosters for all of their help with the show.  Classic Connection would like to wish the best of luck to all of the groups competing today. 

Stage Lights is the soprano/alto show choir from Sioux Falls Washington High School.  Stage Lights is under the direction of Chris Jacobson and Jeff Spencer and choreographed by Matt Watson.  The group is comprised of 35 singers and dancers; accompanied by the 22 piece show band, Quacko; and assisted by 8 backstage crew members, the Sea Turtles.  Stage Lights is excited to present their 2025 competition show, Rosie the Riveter.  Songs include: Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy/This Is War featuring Lucy Koens, Danica Lewis, and Harper Fonder; American Oxygen/Working Man featuring Alphalyn Johnson, Danica Lewis, and Aislynn Arens; Meant to Live featuring soloists Anne Secrest; and Come Back Home/How Far We’ve Come featuring soloist Rosalia Szameit.  Stage Lights will compete at Sioux Falls Jefferson, Omaha Burke, Sioux Falls Roosevelt, Lincoln Southwest, O’Gorman, and Aberdeen; as well as host the 25th Annual Sioux Falls Washington Best of Show.  Stage Lights would like to thank their families, friends, and teachers for all of their love and support, and wish the best of luck to all of the performing groups today.

Jeff Spencer is currently in his 20th year of teaching and 10th year as Director of Choral Activities at Washington High School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  He oversees a program of 3 concert choirs, 3 jazz choirs, 2 show choirs, Soprano/Alto choir and Tenor/Bass choir.  He is an active judge, clinician and show choir arranger.  He is currently serving as the Men's Choir Repertoire and Standards chair for the South Dakota Choral Director's Association and has served as a Mentor teacher in the South Dakota Department of Education Mentoring Program.  In 2007 he was awarded Outstanding Young Choral Director of the Year by the Nebraska Choral Director's Association.  He completed a Bachelor of Science in Music Education at Chadron State College and Master of Music in Choral Conducting at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.  Mr. Spencer directs Concert Choir, Washington Jazz Singers, Sycamore Jazz Singers, Tenor/Bass Choir and Classic Connection.  He also co-teaches Freshman Choir and Warrior Chorus with Mr. Jacobson.

jeffrey.spencer@k12.sd.us

Chris Jacobson is currently in his tenth year of teaching and fifth at Sioux Falls Washington as the Assistant Choral Director.  He directs Stagelights and East Side Vocal Jazz as well as co-teaches Warrior Chorus and Freshmen Chorus with Mr. Spencer.  Currently, he is the acting Vocal Jazz Repertoire and Standards Chair for the South Dakota American Choral Director’s Association.  In the past, his jazz ensembles have been selected to sing at state music conferences.  In 2019, he was honored to receive the Overture Award from SD-ACDA, which recognizes an outstanding choral director in their first five years of teaching.  He received his Bachelor’s of Music Education from South Dakota State University.  He is very excited to be in Sioux Falls and to be a part of the Washington High School team.

christopher.jacobson@k12.sd.us