Editorial: Staring at the Audience

Editorial: Staring At the Audience

By Sophia Vicari

               

November sixth, 2012 was a big day for America.  We reelected President Barrack Obama; participating in a form of government many dream to be a part of.  About a week before the 57^th election, the Sterling High School Concert Choir put on their Political Assembly, which featured Broadway show-stoppers with a political theme.   There were many soloists, including Jesse Panico (11^th grade) and James Carman (10^th grade), who even did a duet together.  Female soloists included Ashlynn Mercer (11^th grade) and Morgan Fisher (12^th grade).  Everyone did a fantastic job, from the freshman to the seniors!   The songs may have been from Broadway’s past, but some were pretty catchy.  With numbers such as “What’s the Use?” and “When the Idle Poor Become the Idle Rich”, the choir exposed the audience to common political topics in a melodious way while showcasing some of Sterling’s best.  As Jesse Panico put it, “It was a rousing success!”

                I had the privilege of narrating the assembly with Jesse Panico, which was fun because I got some public speaking practice.  Many people participate in Sterling’s productions for the fun of it, but others, like me, see them as learning experiences prepping us for our future.  I also got to participate in the “Our Favorite Son” dance, which was challenging yet fun.  That dance was a lot of fun to do, once you got past your nerves.  Under the direction of choreographers Katie Muska (12^th Grade), Emily Krowicki (11^th grade), Ashlynn Mercer (11^th grade), and Kaitlyn Huesken (10^th grade), we practiced many, many accesses and zero blocks to get the precise movements perfect.  One missed thigh-slap, one flexed foot, and the whole dance was thrown off. I also had the privilege of participating in the dance for “Razzle Dazzle”, which happens to be a number from our Silvertones’ show, Chicago. The costumes may have been different from the Parent Preview, but the Razzling-Dazzling routine stayed the same.  That was so much fun to perform for the school!  I felt super tall sitting on AJ Maiatico’s (12^th grade) shoulders, looking at the audience in the auditorium down below.  There is just something about dance lifts that gets my adrenaline pumping.

                Once the Political Assembly was finished, we focused our attention on the annual Winter Concert, performed by Sterling’s Concert Choir and Concert band.  The band pulled off challenging classical numbers, while the choir sang a mix of traditional and more unique Christmas carols.  “Down Home Deck the Halls” was one number that combined the traditional carol with a cool new arrangement, and it certainly spread some holiday cheer.  We also had three numbers with staging, which included “The Dance of the Sugarplums”, choreographed and performed by Cheldany Stevens; “Mele Kalikimaka”, a group number including Katie Muska, Emily Krowikci, Genesis Garcia (11^th grade), and other very talented girls; and “Mr. Santa”, a group number choreographed  by Chelsea Korn (11^th grade) with costumes by Morgan Fisher.  The last number of the night, the "Hallelujah Chorus”, is one of my favorites because it is preformed every year by the band, choir, and Sterling alumni.  I love seeing old friends who have graduated and those who look to be very up there in age but still make it a point to come and participate in our concert.  It shows that alumni respect and cherish their time as a Sterling High School Performer.

                I close with addressing a problem I’ve noticed during my time here at Sterling.  One cannot know the amount of work that goes into a production, no matter how simple it may seem, unless you are in that production yourself.  For example, I and many others are putting in near ten-hour school days with zero block rehearsal for Silvertones and musical rehearsals until five o’clock p.m.  But what for?  So we can put on an assembly and get laughed at?  I saw after the Winter Concert Assembly that people tweeted negative things, and I sure hope those people understand what it takes to do what we do.  Regardless of the people performing, regardless of the production, performers deserve your respect.  I know it’s hard; I’ve been in the audience and I’ve wanted to doze off.  I am going to make a conscious effort to show other performers, speakers, or what-have-you the respect I’d like to be shown.  It is not easy doing leg kicks in jean shorts in front of the student body, and it isn’t easy to do a grand jete, but we do it.  It is not easy to sing your heart out about politics that won’t even accept your vote for another couple of years and it isn’t easy to play the flute to music written before your great-grandmother was even thought of.  But we do it.  Please, I ask you to show our performances and performers well-deserved respect.  We all work hard to put on an enjoyable show, and yes, we can see the dirty looks and hear the heckling.  The lack of decorum an audience has nowadays is appalling.

               I look forward to performing alongside the talented castoff the spring musical, Fiddler on the Roof, and I hope that when it comes time to perform the assemblies you all take to heart the amount of effort that has been put into the musical.  Fiddler on the Roof is sure to be a hit, and I encourage you all to stay awake to see it.

As I stare at the audience, I hope they're staring back.

 Fiddler on the Roof dates:

• Thursday, March 21 at 7:00 p.m.

• Assemblies on Friday, March 22; 7:30 p.m. performance on March 22 (I‘m pretty sure that’s the time)
• Saturday, March 23: matinee at 2:00 p.m. and final performance at 7:30 p.m. (I’m pretty sure of the times)