With Encore’s latest shows on Friday, Nov. 21, and Saturday, Nov, 22, it is clear that the group is getting too popular to be contained in the Rhea Miller Recital Hall.

Next semester, the group will be in the Malcolm Field Theatre with more than enough seating and space to fit the enormous amount of talent that the group contains.

The latest shows, which were deemed the annual “Fall-a-Palooza,” featured large group numbers and a variety of alternative hits, such as “Pompeii” by Bastille and Panic! at the Disco’s “This is Gospel.”

The show’s genre emphasis opened up the opportunity for Encore to implement more of its own style and ideas.

“With two a Capella numbers, several dance-intensive numbers and a couple instrumental numbers, this semester was one of the most diverse performances to date,” vocal instructor Katarina Keel said.

With the show and the semester already behind them, it is hard not to focus on what is next for the group, but Keel is confident that Encore can keep delivering surprises.

“We have plenty of surprises up our sleeves. I think the biggest change we will be incorporating into next semester’s showcase is that we will be performing an audience-chosen number. We wanted to find a way to incorporate our dedicated fans more,” Keel said.

President Cara Deschermeier and other e-board members put in a lot of work to make these shows possible. While the performances may be fun and exciting, the behind-the-scenes work requires a lot of effort.

The organization books rooms, schedules practices, reviews small groups, arranges vocal performances, arrange choreography, and advertises and manages all opportunities for them to perform outside of their schedule performance weekend.

However, due to a maximum membership limit, Encore leaders made the decision to turn more people who auditioned this semester away than ever before – just showing the growth the organization has gained over the years.

“We continue to grow as a group in talent and are becoming more recognized on SVSU’s campus as well as the community. I couldn’t be happier with where this group is headed,” Deschermeier said.

Members who made it through the auditions were quickly thrown into the rehearsals. By show time, each member on stage, old or new, pulled together to create a show that brought the crowd to their feet.

“Being a part of the show made me feel almost honored because I was part of something bigger than myself,” first-year member Stephen Bell said.

Additionally, first-year member Ashley Timmreck said, “Encore really helped me transition socially in college. A lot of my friends that are not in Encore do not have as large and diverse friend group as I do.”

The show would not have been possible without the help of their adviser Merry Jo Brandimore, associate provost for student services and dean of students. During the show, she had many encouraging words to share with the audience and about the group.

“Merry Jo is a great adviser. I have been working with her since the start of ENCORE and couldn’t have asked for someone better. She has supported the group’s decisions and progress 100 percent of the way and has helped us get to where we are today,” Deschermeier said.