Gleeful times: Life doesn’t exactly imitate art for young show choir star

By Diana Nollen

CEDAR RAPIDS - Drama and divas rule in McKinley High School on TV's “Glee.”

Not so at McKinley Middle School in southeast Cedar Rapids.

The hit television show returns for its highly anticipated second season Tuesday, following “American Idol” on Fox stations. When last we saw them, the Glee Club members had overcome insurmountable adversity to win at Sectionals, even though saboteurs were working within their ranks and within the faculty to drive the program into oblivion.

That doesn't happen at McKinley Middle School, where the Classic Edition show choir has managed to capture awards, not drama.

“Glee” characters “have really big, puffed-up heads,” says Shawndell Young, 11, of Cedar Rapids. “Our show choir is a team. There's no ‘I' in team. It's us working together as a family. That's how we got third place up to first.”

Shawndell has won a slew of awards, too, capturing “best male vocalist” honors in McKinley's division at recent local show choir competitions with a sound-alike solo on Michael Jackson's hit, “I'll be There.” Videos have been posted on YouTube and a fanpage has been launched on Facebook.

His parents, Edward and ShaNell Young, have fielded inquiries from some daytime talk show hosts, but “nothing is solid,” Edward Young says. “It's still in an information-gathering, send us a video, we'll call your people phase.”

Shawndell, a sixth-grader, has enjoyed his first season in show choir, even though most of his previous singing has been at church.

“Other than dancing, it's not really that different,” he says of the new experience. “It's still singing and trying to get a message out.”

Besides making music, he likes making new friends through show choir, and appreciates that they have to keep their grades up to participate.

Shawndell started singing around age 3, and his parents, who also sing and have musical backgrounds, recognized his talent around age 4.

“Since he was little, he's always been singing around the house,” Edward Young says. “He sang at a couple of things at church. When he sang at preschool graduation, I said I think he's got something there.”

“Amazing Grace” was Shawndell's favorite song to sing in his earliest years. He still prefers singing and listening to gospel music. He's also starting to sing some of his own compositions and taking piano lessons with the Rev. Cymaron Dawson, senior pastor at Living Waters Kingdom Church, where Shawndell's father serves as an assistant pastor.

“I know music is what I want to do all my life,” Shawndell says.

His parents support his musical endeavors.

“We've both always encouraged him to strive to do his best, to not be an average singer but to be the best,” says Edward Young, who has been a DJ and performed with bands and the University of Iowa's Voices of Soul ensemble. “We're glad he's learning to read music at school and at piano lessons. We want to have him sing because it's fun and makes other people happy. If you sing for the right reasons, the other follows.

“Church is very important in our life,” Edward Young says. “I'm a minister and sing in the church choir. We see that connection, that music is a form of ministry. Even in show choir, there's a connection of ‘I'll be There' - that someone will actually be there. It's fun to see him have fun with it and have it touch up his life.”

Former Cedar Rapids Kennedy show choir star Megan Reinking has made the leap from sequins and solos to the Broadway stage. Part of the Tony Award-winning cast of “Hair,” she's now performing the hit show in London. And while the pilot episode of “Glee” didn't reel her into watching the series, she's glad for the acting opportunities the show provides.

“It is great that there is a television show that can provide television jobs for musical theatre actors,” she says. “That is rare, and it is hard for actors specializing mainly in musical theatre to break into television.”

FAST TAKE

What: “Glee” season 2 begins

When: 8:28 p.m. Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Where: Fox television stations, including KFXA in Eastern Iowa

Information: www.fox.com/glee

Shawndell Young video: www.nepotv.com/media/202/Shawndell_Young_sings_Ill_Be_There/

Finding their glee …

From a Facebook shout-out for Glee fans and foes came these replies from Cedar Rapids-area residents or natives, all of whom have been active in Theatre Cedar Rapids and musical endeavors:

Deanna Long: “Love it! Fresh, quirky, great characters that have me laughing days after I've watched it. And to top it all off, we all know people like these.”

Heather Harris Akers: “We had a huge debate on this very topic in the dressing room last night. Very polarizing.” (During the run of “The Producers” at TCR.)

Brenna Nelson, who now works for Disney in Florida: As a person who met her husband because he was my show choir dance partner in Jefferson's WSD (West Side Delegation), it is one of those shows we can watch and laugh at together. Each one of those kids were in show choir with us and we remember the stress and pressure of being one of them!”

 Jen Boettger: “It's like a traffic accident ... I. can't. help. but. watch. And I have absolutely no idea why. I can tell you I am grateful that Kennedy High School didn't have a slushie machine.”

Replies via e-mail:

Gail Dinger of Anamosa, who teaches 8th grade Language Arts there: “For me, the show ‘Glee' epitomizes its title. Each viewing leaves me with a giddy exuberance and an enormous smile on my face. 

“I recognize that Ryan Murphy's creation is not to be taken literally. Being a teacher, I recognize the stereotypes and absurd plot lines present in each episode. These elements are what make it such fun. ‘Glee' is escapism at its best. 

“While I avidly listen to both of the series' soundtracks as the show is in hiatus, I'm more than excited for its return on April 13.”

Jacki Monk of Anamosa has “watched it from Day 1 and agree it's one of the best shows on TV. Way too long a hiatus, though. I love music and it is a very important part of my daily life. 

"The cast of ‘Glee' is actually younger than my children, and I miss those group musical activities. I was in choir in high school, several decades ago, and my school did have a show choir that was more popularity-based than talent, I'm afraid. But, It served its purpose of being somewhat entertaining. 

“I think the cast of ‘Glee' is tremendously talented and yes I would pay for a ticket to see them on tour if they came to this area. How glorious they would sound in the Paramount - wowwwwww.”

Curt Perry of Cedar Rapids, a retiree who grew up on the south side of Chicago, where he says “singing in public school in the very early ‘60s might get a body beat up”: “It's been a long time since there's been a TV show that is as entertaining as “Glee.' Don't see anything that's not to like. Excellent cast and good music. Hope it is around for a long time.”