"Men's Night Out" Concert - Free!

It’s “Men’s Night Out” - for everyone - on Monday, October 27 at 6:30 p.m. at Simsbury High School! A special concert, which is free and open to the public, will feature male performing groups from the high school and Henry James Memorial School.

The featured guest artists will be the Duke’s Men of Yale, or, as they’re known, “Da Doox.” Formed in 1952 by Basil Duke Henning, a former Whiffenpoof (who is rumored to have “borrowed” a Whiffenpoof a cappella arrangement to get his octet started), Da Doox performs across the U.S. and internationally. They have recorded several albums, and have been named one of the nation’s top five male a cappella groups; they have also won honors in the International Championship of College A Cappella. Performing a mix of jazz, soul, classical and contemporary pieces, Da Doox always wow their audiences.

Sharing the stage will be the SHS Concert Choir, the SHS Chorale, boys from the HJMS Select Chorus and Simsbury High’s own male a cappella group, Unaccompanied Minors. Unaccompanied Minors are one of three a cappella groups at Simsbury High, along with the all-female group No Fella A Cappella and the mixed a cappella group, Andiamo. UM is led by Gabriel Garcia ’16 and William Shaw ’17. Members include David Black, Ian Braverman, Cameron DeLo, Gabriel Garcia, Luke Gilmore, Brian Hanshaw, Kenan King, Jacob Lill, Patrick Lyman, William Shaw, Marc Sokolson

Gabriel Garcia and fellow SHS junior Ian Braverman will perform solo pieces during the concert. Gabriel, an Ensign-Darling Vocal Scholarship winner, is a veteran of the stage, having performed in SHS and HJMS musicals, and has participated for several years in the Northern Regional Festival and the CT All-State Chorus. Ian, also a stage and singing veteran, has performed in SHS and HJMS musicals, performed the lead role of Mr. Snow this past summer in Simsbury Summer Theatre’s production of “Carousel,” and has been selected for Northern Regional Choirs.

A special invitation to attend is extended to all boys in grades 5 through 8 who attend Simsbury Public Schools. As special guests of the SHS Music Department, SPS 5th through 8th grade boys are welcome to partake of a $5 pizza dinner at 6 p.m. in the SHS cafeteria to meet the performers, then enjoy the concert in a reserved seating area and, during the concert, participate (if they wish) in several group songs. Those who wish to participate in any or all of these opportunities should contact their school’s choral music teacher. Parents of the 5th-8th students are also welcome and encouraged to attend with their child.

Don’t miss this great free concert – everyone (regardless of gender!) is welcome at Men’s Night Out!

HJMS Select Chorus: Nicholas Beckius, Evan Bologa, William Bonnell, Xavier Braun, Henry Clarisey, Harry Dorer, Cedar Filmore, Joachim Gatmaitan, Benjamin Grossman, Elias Hanna, Jeffrey Lewtan, Jordan McDavid, Maalik McPherson, Colby Morkan, Conor Murphy, Luke Pace, John Pitblado, Joseph Reynolds, Ajeeth Vellore, Scott Willson

Simsbury High Concert Choir: Timothy Amarell, Benjamin Armstong, Brendan Barnard, David Black, Nolan Carrier, Jarin Daniels, Matt DeAngelo, Cameron DeLo, Luke Gilmore, James Huang, Joshua Keene, Kenan King, Brendan McDermott, Andrew Mylander, Cameron Rosenthal, Nicholas Sandborn, Sean Sinacori, Marc Sokolson, Kyle St. Saveur, Tyler Thomas, Christopher Wildman, Drew Zenick

Simsbury High Chorale: Jameson Boeshans, Ian Braverman, Justin Butchyk, Ian Cosgrove, Nate Donahue, Grant Duford, Gabriel Garcia, Alexander Ging, Brian Hanshaw, Gerald Jackson, Jacob Katz, Grant Lammey, Austin Lazo, Jacob Lill, Patrick Lyman, Jack Medve, William Shaw