Stars in the Spotlight this weekend at FMHS

FORT MADISON - The stage is set for Saturday, March 8th for the 36th annual Stars in the Spotlight invitational at Fort Madison High School.
Allen Chapman, former Swingspan director, started Stars in the Spotlight in 1988. Chapman was honest when asked how the event started and said revenue was a major factor. As his program began to travel more, it became more expensive, so he started Stars in the Spotlight to attract money for the music program. 
Current director Taylor Stoddard is excited for this weekend.
“Our competition has a little more of a laid-back atmosphere than most, which makes it a perfect time for the competing groups," he said.
The schools competing will include Central Lee, Cedar Rapids Franklin Middle School, Danville, Davenport North, Keokuk, Mediapolis, Mount Pleasant, Ottumwa, Southeast Polk, and Washington (Iowa).
If Saturday is the first time you will be attending a show choir competition, Stoddard suggests you look for the pride of the students hosting the event, with every space in the school accessorized with themes and elaborate decorations. 
“It is basically like all other competitions, just a little elevated,” Stoddard said.
He wants to ensure that everyone attending the competition has a great time and a successful end to their season. 
Although Fort Madison will not be competing on Saturday, this will be the last performance of their season. Swingspan, Fort Madison’s varsity group, and Crimson & Black want to end on a high note and give the audience great performances. For Stoddard, it’s important to him that his students take lessons away from being in show choir, such as working in a team, and they recognize the unique specialties all brought to the group.
“The group becomes more like a family because they spend so much time together. I hope it is something that they remember forever.”
This group of seniors has played an important role in the resurgence of the show choir programs at Fort Madison. Before last year, when Swingspan was crowned Grand Champion at Keokuk and Wahoo, Nebraska, the last time Swingspan won a competition was in 1999 when Chapman was director. 
The first competition will start at 8:30 a.m. and the daytime awards start at 5:45 p.m. Tickets will be available for $10 at the door.