Gallery • 5 Photos

Luiza Magalhaes

Juniors Addi Sriram and Veronica Seely are pictured singing In "His Eyes" from "Jekyll and Hyde." They are both members of the Bel Canto Ensemble.

The annual cabaret choir concert at Libertyville High School once again showcased the program’s creativity, talent, and strong sense of community. With a Despicable Me–inspired theme, the concert blended humor, pop culture, and Broadway favorites into a night almost entirely shaped by student choice.

Senior Nora Schaefer said the joy of singing alongside friends is what kept her in choir throughout high school. “I love singing. I love being with everyone,” Schaefer said. “I made new friends, and I get to sing with people fun songs and be hype and amazing.” She highlighted the Stranger Things medley as one of her favorite moments of the night, praising not only the full choirs but also the duos and trios featured throughout the program.

Musical theater played a major role in this year’s setlist. The Acabellas delivered an emotional performance of “Burn” from Hamilton, followed later by another powerful musical moment when the concert choir performed “Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story.” Both songs stood out for their storytelling and expressive vocals, drawing strong reactions from the audience.

Other highlights included the sophomore choir’s moving rendition of “Show Yourself,” which showcased both vocal strength and emotional depth. The Acabellas also energized the crowd with “You Can’t Catch Me Now,” combining confident vocals with dynamic staging. In addition to ensemble numbers, the concert featured a wide range of solos and duos, giving individual singers the chance to shine.

One standout duo performance came from seniors and underclassmen working together. Senior Katie Baker and junior Michael Bowman performed “Take It Like a Man” from Legally Blonde, bringing humor, character, and strong chemistry to the stage.

Behind the scenes, preparation was key. Schaefer explained that choirs rehearsed daily during class periods, choosing songs early and practicing consistently to refine each piece before performance.

Choir director Jeff Brown emphasized that the cabaret concert is unique because of how student-driven it is. “This is the one concert where the students really designed most of it,” Brown said. From song selection to theme voting, students play a central role in shaping the final performance.

Freshman Francis Nicholas Chaika said his favorite part of the night was watching the older students perform and celebrate together, while junior Emily Monahan described choir as a space unlike any other activity at the school. “It’s so loose and so fun,” she said, noting the strong sense of community and shared excitement on stage.

With Broadway hits like Hamilton and Legally Blonde, contemporary favorites, and a variety of solos and duos, this year’s cabaret concert highlighted not only musical talent but also the creativity and connection that define Libertyville High School’s choir program.