PEQUANNOCK HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS MAKE THEIR LAST

CONCERT ONE TO REMEMBERBy Ed Rumley

Upon hearing the question, Pequannock Township High School student, Ben Afflitto, took a moment to pensively pause before answering.

“I’m kind of sad,” the talented vocalist and musician stated. “But, also, I’m proud of the efforts everyone gave tonight. I’m thankful for my family and friends.” The senior’s sentiments characterized the feelings and emotions of a host of musicians and vocalists who participated in their final high school performance. The annual PTHS spring (actually summer) concert was led by instructors Anthony Streifer and William Arnold. The PTHS Choir, Concert Band, A Capella Ensembles, and Jazz Band all performed. The evening turned out to be a virtual smorgasbord of musical genres. As the lights dimmed, the audience in the packed auditorium was treated to a vintage, yet contemporary treat. The hit Broadway musical, Hamilton, by Lin Manuel Miranda, was featured with a medley of songs from the 2016, 11-Tony award winning euphony. Vocalists not only vocaled (no pun intended) but also danced with precision choreography. Each and every offering, including the catchy, The Room Where it Happens, gave motivation to rise up. Costumes of the colonial era were worn by students which presented and even more authentic aura. The cast of the mini, musical-play starred Steven Cusimano, Ben Afflitto, Sydney Levine, Dillan Dabice, Sara Horgan, and Kylee Stelzenmueller. Musicians were William Vivino (piano), Elijah Roberts (bass), and Eric Sayre (drums). The climactic conclusion would have made even Aaron Burr proud. No wonder that Alexander Hamilton and George Washington picnicked together in the shadow of Paterson’s Great Falls, in the year 1778. (See link to story)

https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/paterson-press/2016/07/10/hamiltons-historic-picnic-238-years-ago-reenacted-at-great-falls-in-paterson/94905706/

The choir then transitioned to a musical rendition of Jenny Kiss’d Me, a poem written by English essayist, Leigh Hunt, in 1838. Some may remember Guy Mitchell’s pop version, from 1952, before he later teamed up with Doris Day. Love was in the air with the next familiar tune, The Way You Look Tonight, highlighted by a spectacular solo by PTHS senior John O’Connor. The choir’s concluding offering was the 2015 hit, Like I’m Gonna Lose You, by Meghan Trainor (which featured John Legend.) The complimenting solos of Madison Bruno and Liam Arnold poignantly expressed the heartfelt, yet emotionally traumatic lyrics: “So I’m gonna love you like I’m gonna lose you, I’m gonna hold you like I’m saying goodbye. Wherever we’re standing I won’t take your for granted. ‘Cause we’ll never know when we’ll run out of time.

The concert band then took the stage with participants donning formal, black and white garb. Director Streifer positioned his baton and opened with, A Little Concert Suite, mov. 1. The traditional march music category was immediately recognizable. Particularly present, in both main stanzas and bridges, was the clarinet section of Emma Durr, Danielle Faulls, James Gitin, senior Gabby King, Ryan Oesterle, Victoria Tully, and Holly Padko (bass clarinet). Musicians then turned to the pastoral Shenandoah, an American folk song made famous in the early 19th century. The young artists followed by displaying their versatility with the challenging, Galop, by Russian composer, Dmitri Shostakovich. The Moonside March, by the English artist, Gustav Holst, followed. Young orchestra members transitioned from a warm, soft sound to a regal, almost royal emanation of pomp and ceremony. Holst is best known for his orchestral suite, The Planets, written between 1914 and 1916. Each of the seven movements are named after a planet of the solar system. Classical record collectors still seek Holst’s masterpiece today.

The next instrumental was Funiculi, Funicula, written by Luigi Denza. A discography search reveals the classic tune has been performed by virtually every prominent opera singer, including Mario Lanza and Luciano Pavarotti, since its creation in the year of 1880. Following a brief intermission, the annual senior song You Will Be Found, was sung. From the current, hit Broadway musical, Dear Evan Hansen, the engaging lyrics and clear soprano, alto, tenor, and bass harmonies left observers pleasantly pleased.

So let the sun come streaming in, cause you'll reach up and you'll rise again. If you only look around, you will be found

Even when the dark comes crashing through, you will be found. When you need someone to carry you, you will be found.

Following Director Arnold, the PTHS-A Cappella Ensembles opened with one of Billy Joel’s many hits, For the Longest Time. Released in 1984, the doo-wop like tune featured senior

John O’Connor and Steven Cusimano as soloists. The pair elicited tapping toes and snapping fingers from the delighted crowd. Next came a captivating series of songs (sometimes referred to as a ‘mashup’) entitled, Bellas Finale. The medley was led by seniors Jillian Hollberg and Chelsea Sakdalan. The former rapped, Where Them Girls At. The latter was lead vocalist in, We Belong. Also highlighted in the tune parade were Sara Horgan and Savannah Moody, primary vocalists for Run the World and Flashlight, respectively. Francesca Dygos provided bassline, and Eric Sayre vocal percussion, for the quartet of songs. If Yale has the Whiffenpoofs, Pequannock Township has the Nocktaves.* A fitting closing number for the 20-member acapella artists was the smash hit, Walking on Sunshine. The unmistakable, get-up-and-go melody, by the British American rock band Katrina and The Waves, has been played on car radios since its inception, in 1985. The PTHS ensemble version featured dynamic solos by Giana Valero and Meghan Murphy. The Pequannock High Jazz Band then concluded the evening’s fare with the three numbers: Sweet Home Chicago; Hallelujah, I Love Her So; and Vehicle. The trio of songs represent the best from the late 1930’s, 1950’s, and the year 1970. Sweet Home Chicago is probably the closest thing to jazz that Robert Johnson ever composed. The legendary, almost mystical, song writer/singer is considered by one and all to be the father of the blues. Little is known about Johnson’s life as he passed away at the young age of 27. His 78-rpm records on

the Vocalion label are among the world’s most valuable, rarest, and sought after. With song titles like Hell Hound on My Trail, Dust off My Broom, and Cross Road Blues, the mystery of Johnson’s writing motivation continues to fascinate historians.

Hallelujah, I Love Her So was then masterfully performed by the budding jazz luminaries. Made famous by Ray Charles in 1955, the song was also performed by rockabilly legend, Eddie Cochran, The Beatles, and even Frank Sinatra. Adding to the excellence of the PTHS cover was a spectacular solo by Giana Valero. The grand finale did not disappoint. Any teenager who grew up in the late 1960’s and owned a transistor radio would recognize the song, Vehicle, by The Ides of March. The PTHS brass section, led by seniors Grant Sippel (trombone), Anthony Finnen (trumpet), Henry Mielarczyk (alto

saxophone), and Ben Afflitto (tenor saxohphone), rose to the occasion. The pulsating beat and electric rhythm demanded the utmost precision. The dramatic conclusion left audience members thirsting for more. Jazz band soloists for the night were trombonists Liam Shay and Grant Sippel, trumpeter Anthony Finnen, and clarinetist and tenor saxophonist Ben Afflitto. Indeed, the 2018 concert finale was certainly a night to remember. *Noctaves Members-Soprano 1-Sydney Levine, Jenna Rubino, Giana Valero. Soprano 2-Julia DeCumber, Savannah Moody, Meghan Murphy. Alto 1-Lainie Borkowski, Kyle Stelzenmueller. Alto 2-Dillan Dabice, Sara Horgan. Tenor 1-Ben Afflitto, Steve Cusimano. Tenor 2-Eric Bunce, Jack O’Connor. Baritone-Liam Arnold, Joey D’Andrea. Bass-Kevin Chesney. Vocal Perucssion-Eric Sayre. Aux. Percussion-Owen Miguel, Jack O’Connor.

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o 1280 x 971 · jpe

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o Mr. Anthony Streifer