Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

Top Left:Ruseas High School in performance at All Together Sing at the TVJ studios last Thursday.   Right: Oberlin High School in performance at All together Sing at the TVJ studios last Thursday.

Bottom Left: Aaubuthnott Gallimore High School in performance at All Together Sing at the TVJ studios recently.   Right: Clarendon College in performance at All Together Sing at the TVJ studios last Thursday. - norman grindley photos

Competition rose to fever pitch at last Thursday's All Together Sing at the TVJ studios.

Seven choirs vied for the judges approval, with the efforts of one falling as a discordant ripple on their ears.

With Vere Technical High voted out, the judges hope the schools will take it up a notch as the competition progresses.

Ruseas's High appeared first, having received the third highest votes for the week.

Delivering a rendition of Going to the Chapel, the students were dressed as members of a wedding party, replete with a mini bride, and groom.

The groom looked especially dapper in a white suit with black undershirt.

Despite their impressive attire, the judges did not buy the whole package.

"Ruseas, today is not your better day, it lacked the real sweet blend in the voices," Dwight Sanderson said.

While Ruseas declined, Oberlin High last year's defending champion delivered.

Singing Hallelujah, their voices blended nicely, yet the energy was not present in the performance.

Lennon High came back with vigour performing How Massa God World a Run.

Dressed simply in jeans and white shirts the focus was on their voices which was not spectacular, but they sounded good nonetheless.

Vauxhall High started with a daring opening, claiming to have brought a little reggae and soul to the competition already, this week it was time for some gospel. They sang He is awonder, the two female vocalists had lovely strong voices, as they sang with true soul.

Unfortunately they outdid the male vocalist who could not keep up with them vocally. Sewell however commented that it was a very good gospel song.

With the second highest votes for the week, St. James High was next.

Doing a very fun and creative folk medley, they got the crowd moving and laughing.

However some of the judges were not impressed, saying that they did not interpret the folk tradition properly.

Judge Dennis Rushton thought it was very entertaining.

Clarendon College was a top contender this week, singing about disciplining children, dressed in orange reminiscent of prison suits and wearing handcuffs.

The lead singer had a strong commanding voice as the judges exclaimed that they could listen to them over and over again.

Top scores last week Aabuthnott Gallimore looked well co-ordinated, with very good boy and girl interaction, however the judges were not pleased with their song choice.

They sang a combination of Someone Loves you and She's Still Loving Me. While the judges weren't impressed with the female soloist voice, it was obvious that she has a very strong voice that the audience enjoyed.

At the end of the day, the schools that blew the studio audience away were limited. There were no real stand out performance. However, the judges concurred that all the choirs were outstanding to even reach that far.