Taking to heart the words of the rock band Journey, LaGrange High School’s chorus is ready to open its annual Broadway-style show spring concert Thursday night.

For the past several months, the 210-member chorus has been polishing songs and dances, but director Katie Westbrook said she wants students to learn about more than just music.

This year’s theme, “Don’t Stop Believin’,” centers on the hope that chorus members will experience personal growth through their participation in the program and discover the value of teamwork and develop leadership skills that can be applied beyond their high school careers. Westbrook hopes that students will learn to never stop believing in themselves and the power of hard work and dedication.

Senior chorus member Lauren Allen said her experience has taught her to “never give up,” a principle that applies not only to performing but to life as well.

The chorus is under the leadership of Westbrook with the help of choreographers Deborah Bordona, Corrie Roman and others.

Westbrook is fairly new to her position as choral director at LaGrange High, but she is not new to the spring concert scene. Her first experience with the show came at the age of 10, when she sang “Castle on a Cloud” from “Les Miserables.”

Westbrook later was a member of the LaGrange High chorus for four years and, after graduating, re-mained involved as a choreographer. After receiving a degree in theater from LaGrange College and touring with a theater company, Westbrook is back, now on the other side of the footlights.

The annual concert is a largely student-produced show. Chorus members handle the business aspects of the production, including ordering costumes, selling tickets, designing the program and promoting the concert. In addition, many of the dances are student-choreographed. Lindsey Cole, Elizabeth Hayes and Karoline Hull serve as this year’s production managers.

Music comes from Broadway shows such as “Mamma Mia,” “Guys and Dolls,” “Little Women,” “Peter Pan,” “Fame,” “Billy Elliot: The Musical” and the hit television show “Glee.” Also featured is the music of Michael Jackson, Michael Buble and Queen.

In addition to group performances by the Granger Entertainers, Showstoppers, Broadway Babies and the Jazz Kats, soloists and ensembles will be featured throughout the program.

This year’s soloists include Bo Bradford, Lindsey Cole, Whitley Giddens, Billie Anne Hardigree, Karoline Hull, Simon Hong, Ben Key, Elissa Morman, Kaely Perry and Meagan Sharp.

Other featured soloists are Kaylynn Cook, Katie Harlin, Nate Lowery, Frances Newman, Georgia Mignon Major, Matt Pauley, Traviera Sewell, Jalen Smith, Jade Talley and Caroline Todd.

Musical accompaniment will be provided by an instrumental ensemble of local musicians Ashley Hawkins, Clay Butler, Chris Barnes, Robin Treadwell and Johnny Hurd.

Continuing a tradition, the end of the show will pay tribute to this year’s 40 senior chorus members.

— “Don’t Stop Believin’ ” is at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday in the LaGrange High School auditorium. Reserved tickets at $10 are available from any chorus member or by calling the school office at (706) 883-1595. Balcony tickets will be sold at the door for $10.