Parents' Weekend Highlights Student Talent

"A Sentimental Journey" on Saturday night, October 31, highlighted each of Campion's music groups performing hits from the past decades including Copeland, Simon & Garfunkel, Gershwin, and Billy Joel. The concert was well-received by the audience, motivating listeners to donate a substantial amount to the music department—nearly enough to pay for a new baritone saxophone.

The purpose of this performance was to expose students to some arrangements of older music, learn some jazz elements, and showcase their talent.  Parents and families who traveled from around the midwest enjoyed the talent and the selection. Senior and choir member Alyse Maxwell commented, “It was nostalgic for the audience.” Senior Gabrielle Williams, a soprano in the choir, reported, “A woman in the audience came up to me and said she played “Autumn Leaves” when she was in high school.”

Orchestra director Yves Clouzet remarked, “This concert gets only about 4 weeks of practice, and we have even better talent this year.” He intentionally chose more challenging orchestra pieces and discovered that the students worked well under pressure.  “We accomplished some difficult things in a short amount of time,” he said. Aaron Copeland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man” and “Soul Bossa Nova” featured the percussionists’ abilities.

Junior Natalie Boonstra performed a challenging Beatles medley of “Yesterday,” “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” and “Long and Winding Road” with the Teh Campanas handbells. She said, “We enjoyed the Beatles piece a lot, so we were motivated to work harder because we were having fun.”

The music department will perform its Christmas concert on December 12.