Rhode Island’s only competitive show choir, Bishop Hendricken High School’s “Paramount,” recently completed its 2019 season with the strongest season record of any small mixed division group in New England over the past 5 years.

On the season, “Paramount” earned four small mixed division grand championships, including titles at the Central Massachusetts Show Choir Festival (Dudley, Mass.), the Connecticut Classic (Madison, Conn.), and the New England Show Choir Showdown (Andover, Mass.). 

In its first out-of-region competition in Newport News, Virginia, Bishop Hendricken’s show choir swept all major awards in the small mixed group division of the Menchville Clash of the Choirs, including Grand Champion of the Small Division, Champion of the Small Mixed Division, Best Vocal Quality, Best Choreography, Best Show Design, and Best Costumes. 

“Six years ago this began as a small endeavor to explore a new artistic experience that our state had not seen before,” said Richard Sylvia, “Paramount” Director and Director of Arts. “Since then, we’ve seen steady growth within the program, but this season has truly been an exceptional experience, and it’s really a testament to our student performers, musicians, and technicians.” 

On the season, “Paramount” has earned three Best Vocal awards, three Best Choreography awards, two Best Band awards, Best Crew, Best Duets, and two Gold Ratings. 

“This year, our goal was always to win Grand Champions,” said Dominic DaSilva, one of the group’s dance captains and vocal soloists. “We continually strived to put out the best show we could, and the results speak for themselves. We’re really proud of our group.”

Several “Paramount” performers have also earned individual accolades. Each of the group’s five vocal soloists earned Best Soloist distinctions over the course of the season: Alexander LeBlanc, Dominic DaSilva, Emily Fielding (St. Mary Academy – Bay View), Lily Brewster (St. Mary Academy – Bay View), and Elizabeth Barrett (Toll Gate High School). Brad Hutchison, Sean Ryan, Lily Brewster, and Marissa Birmingham (Pilgrim High School) have each earned Showmanship/Judge’s Awards.

“We all get along so well,” said LeBlanc. “We’ve been creating such a unitive team, and that led to a lot of our success.”

The group’s 2019 production of “Me and My Shadow” featured nine songs spanning a wide-range of musical styles, including doo-wop, 80’s rock, musical theatre, and contemporary alternative rock. The show’s concept and design garnered praise from several adjudicators from across the nation.

The 2019 choir was comprised of 44 student performers, musicians, and technicians, including ladies from Catholic, private, and public schools from across the state. DaSilva and Eva Silva (Pilgrim High School) served as the group’s dance captains. Alexander LeBlanc, Marie Balemian (Pilgrim High School), and Lily Brewster were the choir’s 2019 vocal captains.