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NewsJuly 26, 2004

With opening night fast approaching, the performers of "Sing, America, Sing!" were busy rehearsing Friday night in the basement of Grace United Methodist Church. Dressed in shorts, jeans and T-shirts, the young performers listened to the show's director, Mike Dumey, as he led them through "America, the Beautiful," advising them on which words in the song to place emphasis on, what their facial expressions should be and how their stage moves should look...

With opening night fast approaching, the performers of "Sing, America, Sing!" were busy rehearsing Friday night in the basement of Grace United Methodist Church.

Dressed in shorts, jeans and T-shirts, the young performers listened to the show's director, Mike Dumey, as he led them through "America, the Beautiful," advising them on which words in the song to place emphasis on, what their facial expressions should be and how their stage moves should look.

"They have been so committed. I think it will show in the final performance," said Dumey, taking a break from rehearsal.

"Sing, America, Sing!" is Dumey's creation and his attempt to put the focus on young area singers.

Dumey's first youth showcase was "Music, Music, Music" several years ago and was followed by the first "Sing, America, Sing!" in 2001, which was also to be the last because the performers were all graduating from high school.

This summer, however, Dumey changed his mind. "There's too much talent not to use it," he said. Dumey should know -- as the Central Junior High School choir director, he is in a good position to spot emerging talent.

All eight "Sing, America, Sing!" performers have known Dumey for years. Seven of the performers are Central Junior High School graduates.

Dumey said he looks for "kids that just seem to sparkle" when putting together musical showcases. "In this showcase it really was tough to decide who was going to be in it. The eight that I got are the cream of the crop of the area."

The eight performers are Lacey Hayes, Phillip Brooks, Lance West, Sarah Goeke, Elizabeth Hooker, Blake Fisher, Casie Janet and Blake Russell.

Even though they have been rehearsing five days a week, three hours a day for the last month, the performers are excited about the performance.

"It's something our family and friends enjoy coming to and it's a great opportunity to get up and sing, which is what we love to do," said Janet, who will be a sophomore at Murray State University in Murray, Ky., this year.

For some it might be one of their last chances to perform on stage.

Brooks will be joining the Army at the end of the summer and does not intend to pursue a career in music. Brooks started singing seriously when he was 14 and landed a part in Central Junior High's production of "Cinderella" followed by more plays while he attended Central.

Dumey said Brooks is a wonder on the Motown tunes.

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Hayes, a senior at Jackson High School, intends to pursue a career in music and recently returned from the Missouri Fine Arts Academy, where she was one of 40 high school vocalists in the state chosen to attend this three-week program for artistically gifted students.

Hayes was at the academy when she found out about Dumey wanting her to perform in "Sing, America, Sing!"

"I was so excited," she said of the invitation.

The showcase will be separated into three acts and have two intermissions. Starting off the performance will be popular tunes from the 1940s to today, followed by a Broadway salute after the first intermission and the showcase will close with country and gospel tunes.

"It's a true spectrum of American music," Dumey said.

The showcase includes a buffet dinner catered by Port Cape that will start at 6:30 p.m. Thursday and the performance will take place about an hour afterward.

Reservations can be made by calling 334-7602.

kalfisi@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182

Want to go?

What: "Sing, America, Sing!"

When: 6:30 p.m., Thursday and Friday and Aug. 5 and 6

Where: Plaza Conference Center, Interstate 55 and William Street

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