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The Piedmont Highlander

The Piedmont Highlander

Bird callers set to fly on May 3

The only place where complex bird noises, outrageously flamboyant outfits, and hilariously choreographed skits are the norm is Piedmont High’s Annual Bird Calling Contest.

The 48th Annual Bird Calling Contest will take place at the Alan Harvey Theater on May 3. While the contest is still months away, contest producer Ken Brown said he recommends students begin preparing as much as possible.

“The groups that have faired the best in the past have been the ones who have prepared the best,” Brown said. “The ones who spend the most amount of time preparing get up on stage, and they end up just rocking it.”

Brown said judges evaluate contestants based on three categories, the first and foremost being the accuracy of the bird call.

“The judges are going to come in knowing ahead of time what the call should sound like, so that’s the number one thing,” Brown said.

Secondly, participants will be judged on their degree of entertainment.

“Some take the humor approach, some take a more dramatic approach,” Brown said. “Whatever it may be, [the] entertainment factor is key.”

Lastly, contestants must demonstrate knowledge of their birds during their time on stage. Contest producer Linda Jarvis said they are working on getting the contest back to its glory days.

“The silly part is great, but running around stage, throwing things, and screaming is not really that necessary,” Jarvis said. “What the judges really want is the information and the authentic bird call.”

Jarvis advises students to be themselves and to be natural. She hopes students feel comfortable with their performances and are not afraid to show their humor.

“[The skits] don’t need to be long and drawn out, but sometimes short and sweet wins,” Jarvis said. “If you can match your personality to your bird, or at least your personality to your costume, it really shows to the audience.”

Brown said while the judges have not been chosen yet, they usually select a bird expert as well as local people throughout the community.

“We try to do the best we can to get people who would make it a fun event,” Brown said.

Brown said while the contest traditionally featured solo performers, there is now a blend of both solos and groups. Though he encourages both, he loves seeing solos because they demonstrate a lot of courage.

“I love to see students who get up there and just have the self-confidence and the ability to laugh at themselves, and just put themselves out there,” Brown said.

Sophomore Joseph Chan said he is thinking about participating in the competition because his dad won first place when he was a student at PHS in 1985.

“I think it’d be really cool if I could continue his legacy,” Chan said.

Chan said if he does decide to participate, he would most look forward to the skit.

“That’s the most entertaining part of the performance and I like the acting aspect of it,” Chan said.

Senior Jonny Tran said he and a few other friends are thinking about entering the contest as a group.

“We’re second semester seniors and this is our last chance to try it,” Tran said. “We want to do it because our idea for the bird calling contest could provide comic relief and we just enjoy to perform. Because bird calling is a specific competition [to] Piedmont that’s special to our community, it’ll be a very intriguing and different experience.”

Jarvis said many students who have participated in the show tell her it is one of the best experiences of their lives. She encourages students from all different parts of high school to take part in the contest.

“You don’t need to be a jock, you don’t need to be dramatic, you don’t need to be musical, you don’t need to be any of those things,” Jarvis said. “You can just be yourself, and do your own thing, and you can be on Letterman.”

Brown will be holding lunchtime practice sessions in Room 39 beginning in March. Students can drop in to get help with ideas, get advice on their calls and skits, and practice before the big event. The top three contestants will be awarded with an all-expense paid trip to New York, where they will perform their bird calls on the Late Show with David Letterman.

“The whole key for success, aside from preparation, [is] to have fun and let loose, and take the competition for what it is,” Brown said. “Enjoy it, laugh at yourself, laugh at others, with the end goal of hopefully going down in history.”

 

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