Last December, the Staples High School music department kicked the already-spectacular Candlelight Concert up a few notches.
Rather than each group — choral, orchestral, band — performing separately, nearly every piece was a collaboration. Audiences loved it.
It worked so well, the Staples music staff is reprising the idea for this year’s Pops Concert.
The show — only a few years old, but already one of Westport’s favorite traditions — is Friday, June 10.
A full house at Levitt Pavilion will enjoy a stunning show. The Symphonic Band, Symphonic Orchestra and Choraliers combine on a wide range of numbers: “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “This is Me” (from “The Greatest Showman,” co-written by Staples grad Justin Paul); Conga Del Fuego Nuevo,” a “West Side Story” medley, and “Make Our Garden Grow” from Leonard Bernstein’s “Candide,” with alumni soloists Christian Melhuish and Samantha Chachra.
They’ll be preceded by give pieces from the award-winning Jazz Ensemble, and several small choral groups, including a duet, trio and barbershop quartet.
Part of the large crowd at the 2017 Staples Pops Concert.
The music staff — led by directors Luke Rosenberg, Carrie Mascaro, Phil Giampietro and Jeri Hockensmith — is energized, working with all 3 groups.
And, notes Giampietro, “This is not a shuffle on, shuffle off concert. The Levitt stage is really versatile. The staging is really unique.”
The Pops Concert has one more unique feature: The MC. David Pogue — nationally known “explainer” (“CBS Sunday Morning,” PBS’ “Nova,” Scientific American, New York Times and more), and (most importantly for this show) the father of 3 present or former Staples performers — does the honors.
Pops Concert tickets will be available to the public at 9 a.m. on June 2 at www.StaplesMusic.org. It’s free — but donations to the Staples Music Department are gratefully accepted (and encouraged).
Money helps fund concerts throughout the year, and commissions for new music — allowing students to work closely with professional composers.
Hmmm …. sounds like the conductors have something in mind for next year …
(Levitt Pavilion gates open at 5:30 p.m. on June 10. The concert begins at 7 p.m. Guests should bring their own lawn chairs and blankets. Food trucks will be on site.)
A wonderful concert will be enjoyed by all.
I have a question. The last I knew, the entity that leases the Levitt from the Town of Westport was somehow managing to extract a shocking amount of money from the Education Dept for these wonderfully talented kids to use that town-owned facility. Since when do town affiliated groups have to pay to use town-owned facilities?
“Well, I’m sure I can arrange a nice little honorarium from the student fund.”
I have a different idea: No more extortion. It’s wrong.