MRHS's Pops Concert - Something Truly Special
DescriptionAn article that talks about the most recent Pops Concert at WRTN founder Jason Elhilow's school.
MessageWe recommend watching MRHS's Pops Concert to form your own opinions about the show.
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MRSDIntroductionAs a student, I have a couple major responsibilities. You know, the typical getting schoolwork done and making sure I have good grades. But as Class President, a few more are tossed my way, one of them being involvement in school-related activities. And recently, I went to my second concert, and this one was very special, featuring something I deeply love: music from the 70s, 80s, and 90s.
The band and chorus students at the MRHS Pops Concert absolutely astonished me with how good they all were. Now, of course, I went to the last concert, so I had a pretty good idea of what to expect. But JUST like then, my mind was blown. So, here's an "official" review of the remarkable job they did, because that is how amazed I was (and still am). Enjoy.
The ChorusJust like last time, I am going to go a bit out of order here. The chorus, which was split into two groups—select and combined choir—did remarkable jobs, singing tunes like I Want You Back/ABC, The Longest Time, Whitney Houston's I Wanna Dance With Somebody, and SO MANY MORE. The lead singer of Dance, Britanya Bucknor, honestly sounded exactly like Houston. It's uncanny. Everyone from the sopranos, to the altos, to the bass and tenors were fantastic, outputting breathtaking (pun intended) performances together. To know that the oldest ones are seniors in high school, HIGH SCHOOL, is absolutely insane. It was really, really, really good, and shows the not-so-hidden talent they all possess. Though the outstanding performances didn't end there, as the next group was just as stunning.
The BandThe concert band (for me) was one of the best parts of the night. Of course, my bias is coming through yet again, but it is undeniable that their renditions of Stayin' Alive, Stairway to Heaven, and Bohemian Rhapsody (done with the choir) were fantastic, the booms of a bass, the whistles of flutes, the bellows of french horns, and so on leading the audience through the decades with hits that had me singing along. I mean, freaking Queen, played by a bunch of my peers? That's cool. And each member pulled through, sitting on that stage and adding to the performance in ways I cannot even describe. But this sonic adventure gets even better, as we were treated to the most impressive act(s) of the night: the solos.
The SolosThere are honestly few words for what I saw during the solo performances. I was pretty shaken... shaken by how Goddamn good they were! Emory Hines, who was also in MRHS's 9 to 5, sang Dolly Parton's Jolene, which honestly was a perfect fit given the role she played just a few weeks prior. During both Stairway to Heaven AND Bohemian Rhapsody, my friend, Thomas Marchio, got to play some seriously sensational guitar solos, just as in the Winter Concert. And, of course, it was beyond phenomenal; I was enjoying every second of it. Though, unfortunately for him, he was slightly outshined by someone else during The Beatles' While My Guitar Gently Weeps. The vocals, sang by Britanya Bucknor: mind-blowing. The drums, played by Simon MacBride: awe-inspiring. But its guitar solo, done by Paul Mclardy, made me tear up. It was just... I don't even know. Between the energy, the skill, and the song, it has to be one of the best performances I have seen at one of these events. Sorry to everyone else. It and Bohemian have not left my mind, and it's been a solid few hours since I exited the immersive MRHS Auditorium. Like, seriously, all of these solo shows were just the definition of amazing. They were something truly special.
ConclusionI am beyond happy with my experience at this event. Between it, MRHS's recent 9 to 5 release, and, of course, the Winter Concert, I have few words to express the pure joy and entertainment these kids have supplied. But I am not alone; I SHOULD not be alone. Beyond anything, I would recommend you be at their next outing (Thursday, May 18), sitting in the audience to become encapsulated in another truly unique sonic journey. Because, without doubt, I will be there too, enjoying every moment of it.
The band and chorus students at the MRHS Pops Concert absolutely astonished me with how good they all were. Now, of course, I went to the last concert, so I had a pretty good idea of what to expect. But JUST like then, my mind was blown. So, here's an "official" review of the remarkable job they did, because that is how amazed I was (and still am). Enjoy.
The ChorusJust like last time, I am going to go a bit out of order here. The chorus, which was split into two groups—select and combined choir—did remarkable jobs, singing tunes like I Want You Back/ABC, The Longest Time, Whitney Houston's I Wanna Dance With Somebody, and SO MANY MORE. The lead singer of Dance, Britanya Bucknor, honestly sounded exactly like Houston. It's uncanny. Everyone from the sopranos, to the altos, to the bass and tenors were fantastic, outputting breathtaking (pun intended) performances together. To know that the oldest ones are seniors in high school, HIGH SCHOOL, is absolutely insane. It was really, really, really good, and shows the not-so-hidden talent they all possess. Though the outstanding performances didn't end there, as the next group was just as stunning.
The BandThe concert band (for me) was one of the best parts of the night. Of course, my bias is coming through yet again, but it is undeniable that their renditions of Stayin' Alive, Stairway to Heaven, and Bohemian Rhapsody (done with the choir) were fantastic, the booms of a bass, the whistles of flutes, the bellows of french horns, and so on leading the audience through the decades with hits that had me singing along. I mean, freaking Queen, played by a bunch of my peers? That's cool. And each member pulled through, sitting on that stage and adding to the performance in ways I cannot even describe. But this sonic adventure gets even better, as we were treated to the most impressive act(s) of the night: the solos.
The SolosThere are honestly few words for what I saw during the solo performances. I was pretty shaken... shaken by how Goddamn good they were! Emory Hines, who was also in MRHS's 9 to 5, sang Dolly Parton's Jolene, which honestly was a perfect fit given the role she played just a few weeks prior. During both Stairway to Heaven AND Bohemian Rhapsody, my friend, Thomas Marchio, got to play some seriously sensational guitar solos, just as in the Winter Concert. And, of course, it was beyond phenomenal; I was enjoying every second of it. Though, unfortunately for him, he was slightly outshined by someone else during The Beatles' While My Guitar Gently Weeps. The vocals, sang by Britanya Bucknor: mind-blowing. The drums, played by Simon MacBride: awe-inspiring. But its guitar solo, done by Paul Mclardy, made me tear up. It was just... I don't even know. Between the energy, the skill, and the song, it has to be one of the best performances I have seen at one of these events. Sorry to everyone else. It and Bohemian have not left my mind, and it's been a solid few hours since I exited the immersive MRHS Auditorium. Like, seriously, all of these solo shows were just the definition of amazing. They were something truly special.
ConclusionI am beyond happy with my experience at this event. Between it, MRHS's recent 9 to 5 release, and, of course, the Winter Concert, I have few words to express the pure joy and entertainment these kids have supplied. But I am not alone; I SHOULD not be alone. Beyond anything, I would recommend you be at their next outing (Thursday, May 18), sitting in the audience to become encapsulated in another truly unique sonic journey. Because, without doubt, I will be there too, enjoying every moment of it.
