CB South A Cappella Choir To Compete In B-101.1 Christmas Competition

WARRINGTON, PA — An a cappella choir from Central Bucks High School South will bring its unique sound to this year's B101.1 Christmas Choir Competition scheduled to begin on Monday with the first round of the semifinals.

The 18-voice CB South Southside Choir will be competing in a 9-12 grade semifinal round on Monday, Dec. 5 against Council Rock High School North and the Creative Arts High School for a chance to move to the finals on Thursday. The first place winner will be announced on Friday.

For the competition, Southside will be singing its own student arranged version of “Last Christmas” by the 80s pop group, "Wham!" Voting will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and listeners and supporters can vote as many times as they want through the B-101 website.

CB South Southside is unique not just for its sound, but because it's completely student led and directed.

While Central Bucks South Choir Director Joseph Stellino said he helps facilitate, the students do everything from conducting their own auditions to picking their own soloists. And for the B-101 contest, it's no different, he said. They have done all the work, from arranging the song to producing its YouTube video.

"These are my top singers. This group gives them an extra level to go above and beyond. That's what makes them special as opposed to another school where the director is doing all the work for them," said Stellino. "They do all the work."

Senior Allie Fosnot, who arranged the song for the B-101.1 Competition, said everyone's excited about the upcoming competition.

"The uniqueness of our sound is something very different from what you'll be hearing from other groups," she said. "We also edited it ourselves. We spent more than two months working on it and I think that really shows in the production of the song."

In selecting the song for the competition, Fosnot said the goal was to have fun.

"When we decided to do this song, we were thinking about Christmas and holiday songs that feel special and are fun to sing.

"The song, 'Last Christmas,' both the original version and our version, is definitely upbeat and fun for us to sing. I put a lot of variety in the way that I wrote it so we have something different for every chorus," said Fosnot.

B-101 listeners can hear the song played on the air during the 7 a.m. hour as well as at 11:35 a.m. and 2:35 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 5.

"Please vote as many times as you can and please spread the word to friends, family, and colleagues," said Stellino.

"Spam vote us," added Fosnot.

Other 9-12 semifinalists include Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School, Ridley High School, Council Rock High School South, Cherry Hill High School West, Moorestown Friends School and Springfield Township High School.

Here's How The Voting Works

• Nine semifinalists are selected to compete.

• Three schools are showcased on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (December 5, 6 and 7), with the winners of each daily competition advancing to the finals on Thursday, December 8).

• The first, second and third place winners (9-12 grade division) will be announced on Friday, December 9 during the morning show with Jenn Ryan and Bill Tafrow, shortly after 7 a.m.

Voting Rules

• Go to www.b101philly.com to vote for your school choir. Voters are presented with options to vote for each competing school for that given day.

• The voting period each day will be from the time all songs are played on B101.1 (shortly after 7 am) up until 9 pm that evening.

• Winners will be announced the following morning during the B101.1 Morning Show with Jenn and Bill shortly after 7 am.

Prizes

• 1ST PLACE: $5,000 cash prize and the opportunity to perform with The Philly Pops on Dec. 14.

• 2ND PLACE: $2,000 cash prize

• 3RD PLACE: $1,000 cash prize