School Groups Host End-of-Year Performances

Senior Katarina La Poll (left) performs in the Dance Show.

As the year comes to a close, many groups have hosted events to share their achievements with the rest of the school. They were the result of several months of rehearsal and are a final showing of their collective work.

Dance Show

The annual Dance Show was held at the school on Thursday, May 13 and Friday, May 14 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Eagle Theatre. Dance teacher April Oliver organized the event, which was themed “The Way I Am” to represent the diverse dance styles performed in the show.

“We had a good time,” junior Becca Fulcher said. “We enjoyed choreographing all together. The experience was sometimes hard and we didn’t always get along, but in the end we pulled it together and had a blast. It was a fun way to end the year.”

The show had a variety of dances ranging from small group dances, big group dances and solos by seniors Natasha Thapliyal and Helen Broering. The end of the show was choreographed by Helen, Natasha, seniors Katarina La Poll and Sarah Warmoth.

“Every year is different because every year we have a different goal and motive,” Becca said.

Oliver said that the proceeds fund next year’s show costumes and pay for other expenses. Extra proceeds will go to charity.

Orchestra and Band Concerts

The Orchestra and Band Concerts were hosted at the school on Tuesday, May 18 and Wednesday, May 19 at 7 p.m. The May 18 concert consisted of the freshmen and intermediate orchestra and band groups while the May 19 concert was a last performance for the 38 graduating seniors in Wind Ensemble and Chamber Ensemble.

The orchestra and band students prepared for the concert with music teacher Ted Ferrucci. This is the first year that the orchestra and band were combined into one concert.

“We’re putting the two senior groups together this year because our class is given credit for pretty much making the music program a lot bigger,” senior Bryan Cassella said. “It’s a pretty important concert. It’s a lot more challenging music, and [we] honor the seniors.”

After students present senior biographies, the Derek Abraham Instrumental Music Scholarship is then awarded to a “really musically involved” student.

“I like music, so I’m going to miss [Chamber Ensemble],” Bryan said. “But I’m doing music in college, so I’m just going to continue.”

Choral Department Spring Concert

The Choral Department Spring Concert was last Sunday, May 23 from 5:15 to 7:30 p.m. at the Palo Alto Methodist Church. The concert had of all of the school’s choir groups, including the Main Street Singers.

“[I’m looking] forward to seeing the songs that I’ve practiced the whole year,” junior Terence Cape said. “[We sang] a lot of pieces that we’ve been practicing since the beginning of the year.”

The singers have been preparing for the concert since the Main Street Singers returned from their April tour. The concert had songs from the tour as well as a new pieces.

“There [are] a lot more people this year,” Terence said. “We [worked] really hard, and [we were] all really excited about it.”

Main Street Final Banquet and Concert

The annual Main Street Final Concert will be tonight from 8:30 to 10 p.m. at the Los Altos Methodist Church. The Main Street Singers will perform songs from their Europe tour.

“I’m really excited for the final concert because it is really the last opportunity we get to show all we have learned and how much progress we have made throughout the year,” junior Shannon Bray said. “It is a really great and emotional finish to the year.”

In accordance with tradition, the last Main Street performance is free to all audiences.

“The final concert is my favorite concert every year,” Shannon said. “It’s always exciting to see how far we’ve come. I’m expecting great music and a whole lot of tears.”