By Dan McGrath
Thousands of aspiring golf champions enter U.S. Open qualifying every year, dreaming of a spot in the 156-person field that’s really about a 75-person field after various exemptions are awarded.
But once you’re in, who knows, and the tantalizing prospect of unimaginable golf prestige and a payday in the millions is enough to keep the longest of long shots teeing it up every year.
The world-renowned Leo Choir has experienced a similar winnowing-out process in reaching the finals of “America’s Got Talent.” Leo and nine other acts will compete for a grand prize of $1 million in the final round of competition on Tuesday, September 23, with an on-line vote of the viewing public determining the winner.
The broadcast will air at 8 p.m. on NBC. A “Watch Party” will be held in the Leo Auditorium – all are invited, beginning at 7. 115 Bourbon Street, at 3359 W. 115th Street in Merrionette Park, is also hosting a Watch Party, with doors opening at 6:30. The entire Leo Community is invited.
The “polls” will open with the conclusion of the telecast and remain open until 6 a.m. Chicago time on Wednesday, September 24. The winner will be announced on NBC that evening.
Our story so far:
* The Choir performed at a CBS-2 Chicago fundraiser for cancer research in February, and a video went viral after reporter Audrina Sinclair uploaded it to her social media accounts. A talent scout saw the video and invited the Choir to audition for AGT.
* Over spring break the group traveled to Southern California to audition. AGT’s four judges – Howie Mandel, Sofia Vergara, Mel B and Simon Cowell – were effusive in praising the Choir’s performance of “Born for This” and unanimously passed them on to the next round …
* … though that wasn’t known until the audition aired as part of a June 10 telecast. The singers received an enthusiastic “thumbs-up” from all four judges, with the notoriously acerbic Simon Cowell singling out retiring Choir Director LaDonna Hill for her inspirational presence. With the judges’ endorsement, the Choir was off to the quarterfinals …
* … which aired on August 26, and which featured a crowd-stirring performance of “Believer,” by Imagine Dragons. Once again the judges provided rave reviews – “You guys are one of the best things I’ve seen this year,” Sofia Vergara said – but advancement is in the hands of the viewing, voting public from the quarterfinals on. “America has got to vote for you guys!” Judge Mel B said …
* … Which it did, and Leo was on to the semifinals, thanks in part to an ambitious “Get Out the Vote” campaign that involved the entire Leo Community. The Choir covered “Centuries,” by Fall Out Boys, at their September 16 semifinal performance, and once again it went over well with the judges – “I really, really, really, really like you guys,” Simon Cowell said – as well as the viewing public. On September 17 Leo was announced as one of 10 acts advancing to the Finals and a shot at the $1 million grand prize.
“I’ve been at Leo 16 years and we’ve never had anything approach this level of excitement,” School President Dan McGrath said. “Great experience for the boys, great exposure for our school. And what can I say about LaDonna Hill?”
Dr. Shaka Rawls, Leo’s principal, and Choir Manager Yolanda Sandifer Horton have shepherded the Choir through the entire California run, though Dr. Rawls made an emergency trip home for the funeral of his mother-in-law, Fayetta Cain. He also caught the Lions’ Homecoming football game against Marian Catholic before heading back with senior Derrick Davis, who’s a standout for the Choir and the football team.
“Everybody out there – the producers, the choreographers, the vocal coaches, the wardrobe people – they’ve been incredibly supportive and encouraging,” Dr. Rawls said. “They’ve gone out of their way to make this a positive experience for the boys.
“We performed before 30,000 at Rate Field, 40,000 at Wrigley Field and on national television, all within a span of a few months. That’s got to be good for a young man’s self-confidence.”
Only at Leo do miracles like this happen.