Every spring, Middleton High School (MHS) Choir students eagerly anticipate the annual Country Breakfast. This fundraising event took place for the 29th year in the North Commons on Sunday, March 3 and featured a total of 49 performances from students of all grade levels.
Students spent over a month of class time preparing solo and small group performances called specialty acts, with the option to be accompanied by MHS pianist Sarah Stine or a full house band; some students even played their own instruments while singing.
While choral settings typically involve classical pieces, Country Breakfast gives students the unique opportunity to perform solo and small group music in pop, jazz and musical theatre styles. Regular concert attire is traded for flannels and jeans and performers are able to mingle with guests before and after their songs.
Alongside individual performances, large ensembles join in the festivity as well. This year, curricular choirs Cardinal Chorale, Cantus and Concert Choir each performed three songs.
Audience members also heard from two audition-based groups: Chamber Singers, an extracurricular choir, and Bristol Street, a student-led a cappella group. This year, Chamber Singers performed a cover of “Take On Me” by A-ha, featuring toy percussion instruments like egg shakers and plastic hand clappers. Bristol Street sang a mashup of “Bright Lights Bigger City” by CeeLo Green and “Magic” by B.o.B., which included a rap solo by MHS PE teacher Matt Jurasewicz.
Attendees of Country Breakfast could purchase a one-price ticket to stay as long as they wanted and access a buffet serving all-you-can-eat pancakes. Student, parent and sibling volunteers lovingly catered to guests throughout the morning.
Aydin Rosas (11) enjoyed his experience as an audience member.
“I loved the little kids who would keep feeding me pancakes,” said Rosas. “I think it was the most adorable thing ever.”
All earnings from the event were allocated to the enrichment of the MHS Choir program. The Choral Boosters, a parental organization in charge of raising funds, held an auction for several items. Available items included tickets to local theatre productions ranging from community to professional level, horseback riding lessons, baked goods and even an electric ukulele.
As a tradition, Country Breakfast auctions off four early tickets for MHS Theatre’s spring production each year. Tickets to “CLUE” will be available for the general public to purchase in mid-April and can be found at the MHS Theatre website.
The love for Country Breakfast extends far beyond performers and their families. Members of the general public often stay longer than they had planned to watch the incredible performances.
“This is my third-favorite holiday,” said Nicky Westerlund, a freshman at UW-Madison and an MHS alum.
In the weeks leading up to Country Breakfast, students encouraged members of the community to attend using flyers and social media posts. While advertising the event through word-of-mouth, Ailin Cobo Sanchez (10) insisted, “There’s pancakes. I don’t know what else you could possibly want.”
The event’s flawless execution can be credited to Jamie Pitt, MHS’s choral director. In addition to guiding students through their musical journey year-round, Pitt dedicates months to ensuring that Country Breakfast is a morning for all of the Middleton community to remember.
Parents who volunteer for the Choral Boosters also played a major role in managing responsibilities, reaching out to businesses for support and facilitating student organization.
Next year, the choirs will celebrate Country Breakfast’s 30th anniversary. A tradition that has lasted nearly three decades, it continues to be a highlight of the year for MHS Choir students and community members alike.
