Chicago isn’t ready to let go of its feel good story of the year.
The Leo High School choir, which captured hearts while placing fourth on “America’s Got Talent” in September, is booking gigs around town at an unparalleled clip — with no end in sight.
A recent sampling includes a carnival-themed holiday party for employees of Leo Burnett, one of the city’s largest ad agencies, a corporate event held by Honda at The Old Post Office, a Commercial Club event attended by former President Barack Obama and a spirit-lifting performance for detainees at the Cook County Jail.
In November the choir was slotted between country music stars Keith Urban and Blake Shelton at a benefit concert during the CME Group Tour Championship in Naples, Fla.
“We try to remind people they are high school students and not professional entertainers,” said choir manager Yolanda Sandifer-Horton.
The choir averages about three performances a week.
“Requests are coming in every other day,” said Sandifer-Horton, who estimates a tenfold increase from previous years. “I just put something on our schedule for next October. At this point we’re booking six months in advance because the schedule is so filled.”
Standard donations that accompany many of the performances help cover choir expenses such as transportation and meals. The money also helps to cover tuition for not only choir members, but the rest of the student body, most of whom come from underserved communities on the South Side and rely on financial assistance.
“The donations are something new that we’ve moved to this year,” said Sandifer-Horton.
Kriston Bell, a junior and a member of the choir, understands the impact the choir has had on the school.
“We have changed this school a lot, it’s been pretty crazy. It makes me feel great,” Bell said.
“It’s been such an awesome journey for our young men and the school,” said Sandifer-Horton. “The kids are ambassadors of the school and they handle it well and are disciplined with time management and keeping up with academics and performances,” she said.
One of the recent highlights was being surprised by Obama as the group gathered in a room off the main ballroom at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago downtown.
“They boys sang, and President Obama was singing and dancing right along with them. And he just really encouraged them and gave them a lot of love and praise,” said Sandifer-Horton, noting that pictures and videos posted to Leo’s Facebook page have gone viral.
Performances for the 21-members choir average about 20 minutes but can stretch to 40, and are, whenever possible, capped with trips to Portillo’s.
“The bus will park outside the Portillo’s on Ontario Street, and all the boys will get off in their Leo gear. It’s quite a sight,” Sandifer-Horton said. “I don’t know what it is about Portillo’s. They absolutely love it.”