Ottawa's very own glee club is gearing up for the inaugural Show Choir Canada National Championships.

Students at St. Peter Catholic High School in Orléans are hard at work perfecting their vocals and dance moves for the big competition, which takes place April 8-9 in Toronto.

The school's show choir has been performing locally for 11 years, but the hit TV show Glee has single-handedly brought about a revival in high school clubs — and helped their cool factor immensely.

"I love working with the entire choir. Singing is something I just love to do," said student Peter Shaw.

Over the years, the show choir at St. Peter has grown from about a dozen students to the 50 who now turn up for rehearsal every week.

"Our program is continually growing," said teacher Bernard Leger. "What we have noticed is the students identify with certain characters in the show, and it's certainly helped our profile in the school."

Choir member Ryan Binsell can attest to that.

"I love musical theatre like Rachel does, and I've grown up doing sports like Fynn," he said, referring to two Glee characters.

The students say they also feel the pressure to perform up to Glee's standards.

"A little bit because people now go, 'Oh it's so easy, whatever,' but … it's really not. It takes a lot of hours of rehearsal and practice to get good and be how they are on Glee," Sarah Blouin said.

Twelve high school choirs from across the country will compete in the championships.

Trophies will be awarded for the top six choirs, with cash prizes handed out to the top three. Individual performers will also be recognized and considered for a one-week scholarship to the Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts in Toronto.