At the beginning of last night’s Staples High School Pops Concert at the Levitt Pavilion, emcee David Pogue made a joke about the number of times the concert has been moved inside due to rain and wildfire smoke — or canceled, because of COVID.
This time the skies were clear, the temperature perfect.
Suddenly — just a few minutes into the show — a fierce wind blew in.
Music sheets scattered. Banners flapped. It looked like an unexpected weather event would ruin the evening.
Suddenly, all was calm again. The “wind ensemble” left. The show went on … beautifully.
The Staples music department’s gift to the town showed off all the performing groups: the Symphonic Band and Orchestra, Choralaires, Orphenians, Jazz Ensemble, and several small ensembles.
The program ranged from Blood Sweat & Tears to Glen Campbell; Björk to the Beatles; Simon & Garfunkel to Freddie Mercury and Queen.
In less than a decade, the Pops Concert has become a cherished Westport tradition. It is entertaining, fun — and very, very professional.
Our Staples instructors and musicians are outstanding. The standing ovations they got were well-deserved.
And the rainbow over the stage made the night even more perfect.
Rainbow over the Levitt Pavilion. (Photo/Harris Falk)
Three groups performed before the show. Seamus Brannigan plays drums on “Ventura Highway.”
The Choralaires sing the national anthem. This is Lauren Pine’s first Pops Concert, as Staples’ new choral director.
The final performance for Phil Giampietro (left), Staples’ highly regarded band and jazz ensemble director. He’s leaving for Hall High-West Hartford, closer to his home in Cheshire and where he will remake their program. Gregg Winters (right) teaches band at Bedford Middle School, and jazz workshop at Staples.
Andrew Maskoff (keyboard) and Rohan Wadhwani (vocals) lead the Jazz Ensemble in “Spinning Wheel.”
Musicians look to the sky, as strong winds blow in.
Curtis Sullivan, Ethan Walmark, Henry Carson and Rohan Wadhwani harmonize on “Crazy Little Thing Called Love.”
Eva Slossberg (2nd from left) wowed the crowed with her vocals on “Would That I.” She was accompanied by (from left) pianist Andrew Maskoff, and cellists Ellia Tobben and Kai Seo. Missing is cellist Shivali Kanthan. (Contributed photo)
The full Symphonic Orchestra, Band and Choralaires close the show with a rousing “Bohemian Rhapsody.” (All photos/Dan Woog unless otherwise noted)