Shot in 2005 and 2006, 'show/choir' follows a year in the lives of the Chesterton High School Sandpipers, a singing, dancing choir from a Northwest Indiana town that competes all over the Midwest against other talented performers. During the year, frustrations, dreams, and hopes come bubbling forth. Surprising triumphs and unexpected defeats abound, and the immense talent and zest for life that these average high schoolers possess shine through it all.—Marissa Flaxbart

Chesterton High School in Chesterton, Indiana has long been the home of the area's only competitive showchoirs. The Sandpipers and The Drifters (a mixed group and an all-girls group, respectively) have been around for nearly 30 years under the leadership of veteran instructor Linda Pauli. 'show/choir' follows these groups as they prepare their 20-minute song-and-dance routine, getting ready to compete with other high school showchoirs from all over the Midwest. While the film focuses on the Chesterton choirs, the story that unfolds could be that of almost any showchoir; the group's experiences are representative of the activity as a whole. The ups, downs, and surprises of a year of showchoir reveal the strengths and failings of these dedicated teens, and showcases a level of focus, sensitivity, and resilience that many viewers will find surprising in a group of high schoolers. Ultimately, the documentary is a tribute to the power of school music programs to empower and fulfill the students they affect, especially at the helm of a dedicated and caring teacher. All the while, it sheds light on the exhilarating (and often funny) world of competitive showchoir.—Marissa Flaxbart