Council Rock South Wins Christmas Choir Competition With 'Mambo Santa'

NEWTOWN, PA — The Council Rock High School South Vocal Ensemble has won this year’s B101.1 Christmas Choir Competition sponsored by NJM Insurance.

The announcement was made this morning on the Jenn and Bill Show.

The choir won over Council Rock High School North and Ridley High School with its unique tune, “Mambo Santa Mambo,” which was inspired and arranged by choir director Corey Axler.

In addition to playing the choir’s entry throughout the holiday season on the radio station, the choir will receive a $5,000 cash prize in support of its vocal music program. They will also be invited to live on stage at "A Philly Pops Christmas" at the Kimmel Center on Dec. 14.

"We have been doing this competition since 2009. We have never won. We have been so honored to be in the semifinals several of those times, but to be honest with you, this feels unbelievable," said Axler. "This feels incredible. I am so thankful to my administration, the parents, the administration, but especially for my students. They worked so hard to get to this point. I am so thankful for all of the support from our Council Rock community."

The song was inspired by the a capella group, The Bobs.

"I wanted to do something different," said Axler. "So I arranged it and put in a little Austin Powers just to give it a fun flair. It's just something people may not have heard of to change up the competition and hope that it would give us an advantage."

"Corey, people loved it," said Jenn. "Obviously."

According to Axler, the prize money will be added to the choir's scholarship fund which gives financially challenged students an opportunity to afford and play an instrument.

Axler added that he's also excited to be joining the Philly Pops on stage next week. "My kids are going to flip out when they find out. It's insane."

Jenn also asked Axler about the rivalry with Council Rock North, which also had a song in the competition.

"The choir director at Council Rock North is actually my former student who went through and did the Christmas Choir Competition when he was a student," said Axler. "It was kind of a full circle thing.

"I am so proud of all of my colleagues," Axler continued. "Every year the pieces get better and better. I listen on the radio and I say to myself, 'My gosh. How are we going to beat that?' They are so incredible. These kids just do an amazing job. We are very fortunate to have a very strong music program in our community."

Ridley High School won second place in this year's competition and a $2,000 prize. And the Council Rock NorthVoice came in third, winning a $1,000 prize.

"Every single entry we received was so amazing. A big thank you to everyone - the kids, the choir directors, the parents, the school administrators, just everyone," said Jenn. "Thank you guys for sharing your passion and your talent with us."

The NorthVoice competed in the first round of the semifinals on Monday against Central Bucks South and Creative High School.

South competed in the second round of the semifinals on Tuesday against Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School and the Moorestown Friends School.

The South Vocal Ensemble is the elite choral ensemble at Council Rock High School South whose members are selected through audition. It has also been a frequent semifinalist in the competition.

NorthVoice performs a varied repertoire from Renaissance motets to vocal jazz and from classical to contemporary choral literature. It sings at a variety of events throughout the school and community. All members of NorthVoice also sing in Symphonic Choir or Chorale.