The Performing Arts Department hosted its Pops Concert on May 9th at 7:00PM in the high school’s gymnasium. Directed by Mr. Holesovsky and Mrs. Taylor, this year’s concert featured the Jazz Band, the Combined Choirs, the Concert Band, the cast of the Drama Club’s production of The Lightning Thief, and the Music Theater Workshop. Showcasing old and new hits alike, the concert did not disappoint!
The Concert Band led the evening’s festivities with its performances of recognizable songs, such as “Pink Panther” and “Soul Bossa Nova.” However, it was their performance of a Billy Joel medley that included popular hits like “Uptown Girl” and “Piano Man” that proved to be a fan favorite! (It also did not hurt that this performance took place on Billy Joel’s actual birthday.) The Concert Band went on to perform songs, such as “Sonic Pathways” and “El Zorro Rojo,” which had previously won them the silver at the Heritage Festival Musical Competition in Virginia. The band even offered a raffle that allowed one lucky audience member the opportunity to conduct one of the evening’s performances. The band wrapped up the first half of the program with a throwback to the marching season with performances of Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” and Miley Cyrus’s “Party in the USA,” both of which were played in full uniform and led by Senior Drum Major Joseph Mastromatteo and Junior Drum Major Bradley Geaughan.
One of the special features of the night was the debut of a student-written piece, composed by Senior Gavin Fleury and titled “Muse’s Enigma.” The piece challenged the band in its unique time signature and key and brought a mystical listening experience to the audience.
Paying homage to performances and directors of the past, Mr. Holesovsky, Mrs. Taylor, and Gavin Fleury worked together to bring back West Side’s Alma Mater, a song traditionally played by the band and sung by members of the West Springfield community. Despite being lost for years, the song’s lyrics were rediscovered and its arrangement was given a new composition based on an old recording that was recently found.
Another special feature of the concert included a student-run band, which was led under the direction and guidance of Bradley Geaughan. They performed “Tears of the Kingdom,” a song from the Legend of Zelda game. The Jazz Band also delivered some enchanting performances with the songs “Bag’s Groove” and “Birdland,” which featured solos from Gavin Fleury on the bass guitar, Sonnet Torres on the keyboard, Mr. Holesovsky on the trumpet, and Joey Mastromatteo on the alto saxophone.
The Chorus, too, gave stellar performances with 90’s hits, such as “My Heart Will Go On” and “I Want It That Way.” The Chorus provided some additional fun with its 90’s movies theme and its Bikers and Surfers outfits. Senior members of the chorus each performed a swan song of their choice in honor of their final performances here at WSHS. The Chorus concluded its setlist with Robert T. Gibson’s “Dance!”and a historically choreographed dance.
Other acts of the Pops Concert included a snippet from the Drama Club’s spring musical, The Lightning Thief. Its cast performed a song and dance, “Bring on the Monsters,” from the play. The Music Theatre Workshop also put on a dramatic performance with a scene featuring the character Gaston from Beauty and the Beast.
The Pops Concert provided an evening of fun entertainment while showcasing all the fantastic performing arts talent we have here at West Side!
