Pops Concert: Popping into the World of Music

By Maddyx Bride and Sophie Gold, Head Copy Editor and Business Manager

Contributing photos by Jackie Leidy

   Broadway musicals, Dua Lipa, and superintendents. This might seem like a random combination, but what these things all have in common is that they all made it onto the stage at last Thursday’s Pops Concert. 

   Acalanes hosted its annual Pops Concert on Oct. 10 in the Performing Arts Center (PAC), where the Instrumental Music program and Choir program combined to perform.

   The Pops Concert is a musical showcase of Acalanes’ band, orchestra, and choral groups to display their hard work and talent. 

   “It's basically a collaboration between all of the different instrumental and choral groups at our school to showcase all of the different music that happens at the school at the beginning of the year,” senior Jesse Friedman said.

   The performers presented a variety of different genres of music, creating a diverse musical experience that audience members with various musical tastes could enjoy. 

   “For me, a Pops Concert hits the balance between being engaging for the audience, being fun to perform for the students and kind of hitting different genres of popular music. So we showcased some jazz, we showcased some musicals, and we showcased just some miscellaneous fun music, and some pop music,” band and orchestra teacher Edwin Cordoba said.

    The musicians have been working hard all fall to prepare for the concert, practicing since the beginning of the school year in order to be ready for the concert. 

     “The first day of school we hit the ground running, working on fundamentals, working on brand new music for the Pops Concert. The students come pretty equipped with a lot of skills and my job is just to refine and have them realize their potential,” Cordoba said. 

   The choir worked on both learning their songs as well as the behind-the-scenes aspects of performing, such as technical equipment. 

   “In choir, we practiced our songs a bunch and we also practiced on stage and we practiced with the microphones, trying to adjust the microphone levels and stuff,” choir member and junior Kayla Medeiros said. 

   One highlight of the show was a special guest appearance from the superintendent during the string orchestra’s performance. 

   “Mr. Cordoba emailed me and asked me if I would be willing to play a part with the orchestra and said he would teach me the instrument and I said, ‘Sure, let's have some fun’,” Acalanes Union High School District (AUHSD) Superintendent Dr. John Nickerson said. 

   Many audience members and performers enjoyed Dr. Nickerson’s guest appearance.    

   “I loved seeing Dr. Nickerson up on stage playing the viola. It was a very clever addition to the show,” choir teacher Meredith Hawkins said.

   Some performers also point out their appreciation of the engaged audience that aided them towards a performance they were proud of. 

   “I thought it was fun and the audience was great. I really enjoyed it… I think all of our songs went well,” Medeiros said. 

   The musical Dons have several more performances coming up, including their Winter Concert, where students, parents, and community members can come once again to show their support. 

   “We have our Winter Concert coming up on Dec. 12 and I'm also really looking forward to being a featured ensemble at one of St. Mary's concerts on Dec. 5,” Hawkins said.

   Ultimately, administration notes a positive impact of Acalanes’ music programs on the school’s sense of community.

   “I think music is such a wonderful opportunity for kids to be part of a community and to learn something that they’ll carry with them forever and bring pleasure to those that come and listen. We’re thrilled to have so many kids involved with music,” Dr. Nickerson said.