By Don Ketchum

The night was magical. The crowd roared. And the football coach led everyone to a big finish.

The location wasn’t the football field, but the auditorium at Phoenix Shadow Mountain High.

Approximately 200 of the school’s best voices participated on Thursday night (Oct. 14) in the choral department’s presentation of “I Gotta Feelin’.’’

The performance, directed by Rick Ross and choreographed by Lauren Chapman, took the crowd of approximately 1,200 on a nostalgic melodic trip from the 1960s to the present. Even the stocky, long-haired kid, the Jack Black lookalike, was right on cue.

Among the favorites were Love Potion Number 9 (Searchers) by The Matador Men, I Say a Little Prayer (Dionne Warwick) by the Matador Misses Advanced Women’s Choir, We Will Rock You (Queen), which was nicely choreographed, Car Wash (Rose Royce) by the Shadow Advanced Choir, Great Balls of Fire (Jerry Lee Lewis), featuring The Matador Men dressed in basketball uniforms and bouncing basketballs, along with cameo appearances by varsity boys coach Cain Jagodzinski and his assistant.

They weren’t finished yet.

A large piano was wheeled out to the center of the stage and after a short delay, first-year football coach Mike Giovando (stage name Michael Paul) sat down to sing his composition, Perfect Day, backed by the full choir in formal attire. According to Ross, the song is being considered as a theme for “The Early Show’’ program on CBS-TV.

Giovando is not some novelty act. The former quarterback at and graduate of Scottsdale Coronado said he has been torn between music and athletics for most of his life. He was in a few rock bands when he was younger and has numerous musical influences.

Ross and his choirs are to be commended. They did a fine job. Not many people realize how much work goes into endeavors such as this, practicing day after day, much the same as an athletic team would. It was good to see the fine arts and athletics departments come together.

As for football, Giovando and his team were 2-4 entering Friday night’s game at Phoenix Moon Valley.

“We’re getting better,’’ Giovando said. “It takes awhile, but I am confident that we are going to turn things around.’’

When that happens, it will be a Perfect Day, indeed.