LHS Spring Pops Concert Draws a Crowd

With so many school districts throughout the country cutting their arts and music programs, Thursday night's performance of the 44^th Spring Pops Concert at Lexington High School was an impressive example of a music program at its best.

"A show like this is even more important now," said Jeffrey Leonard, performing arts coordinator. "This is a community that has long supported the arts and especially the arts in education. They demand a quality product and they support that product. This is a place where they're not willing to cut music. They value it. It feeds on itself, allowing us to get better."

The 700 student performers will be giving their second show today, with doors opening at 7 p.m. and showtime at 7:30 p.m. in Ralph Lord Gymnasium.

"This is a really sweet event," said Gail Buzckowski, whose daughter, Devon, has been playing the flute in the show for the last three years. "This is like a mini Boston Pops show. They have the table service and refreshments and all the different acts. It's always a lovely evening."

"This is my favorite night of the school year," said Karen Girondel, who teaches French at the school. "It's great to see the kids, parents and alums that show up for this event. It's fun to see the kids doing different things than in the classroom. And the music is really high quality."

While the show has its share of classical music, there are plenty of nuances to keep the crowd entertained. The wind ensemble played Eric Whitacre's Godzilla Eats Las Vegas, while a slideshow amused the crowd with clips of Godzilla, who was eventually defeated by a group of Elvis's, destroying the City of Sin.

When the music wasn't playing, the Madrigal Singers, an a capella group, led by senior Tom Moriarty, serenaded the crowd with a variety of different tunes.

"This is something we look forward to all year," Moriarty said. "It's a great celebration of the accomplishments of so many of the students who are devoted to music. The kids really care about the performance and the music. It's not just a grade in a class; it's something they want to do."

The students were very much the focus in last night's event. Sophomore Camille Briskin conducted the Honors Orchestra in a rendition of Water Night by Eric Whitacre. And after the audience and students gave Briskin a standing ovation, junior Hao-Kai Pai wowed the crowd with his violin solo.

"These are the two nights a year that really glorify the arts and music program," said senior Erin White who plays the violin in the Honors Orchestra and will be attending The Julliard School in the fall. "Usually classical music can be a little stiff, but this music is more fun and casual."

The program had songs from the movie Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End to the symphonic suite from the television show Star Trek.

The night ended as it always does, with a rendition of Stars and Stripes Forever by the wind ensemble as the American flag fell from the ceiling. The crowd gave the Lexington musicians its last and loudest standing ovation.

"For the kids, this was the highlight of their year," Leonard said. "This is something they'll remember forever."