North Choir Holds Semi-Annual Jazz, A Capella Xplosion!

On Thursday May 17, 2012, the Parkway North choir’s will hold their semi-annual Jazz/A Capella Xplosion! in the Beth Rothermic theater at Parkway North.

“[The Xplosion is] an entertaining, inspiring evening of contemporary A Capella and Jazz performed at a high level by North High students,” said choir director Brian Reeves.

When a concert is called an Xplosion!, people know this will be a special event.

“We call it [Xplosion!] because it is a more informal concert, and we wanted a different title,” said Reeves.

This concert will feature a variety of upbeat contemporary and jazz music that many people will recognize.

“It is going to be a very outgoing [performance] and full of bright sounds,” said junior Max White, who is in Men’s Room A Capella and Giant Steps jazz ensemble.

While these songs are fun, they are also very complex.

“Contemporary A Capella is a relatively recent genre that consists of vocal complex arrangements of modern county, pop, and R&B tunes,” said Reeves. “The jazz tunes we do are highly complex arrangements of the great lineage of America’s music.”

In order to perform such complex music at a high quality level, a lot of hard work and effort has went into this concert.

“The A Capella and jazz groups have been practicing all year,” said Reeves. “They rehearse at the minimum two hours a week; and during completion season, up to five hours a week.” All rehearsals are outside of school hours.

During that rehearsal time, synergy happens and friendships blossom.

“We connect through singing,” said junior Erica Roux, who is in Powder Room A Capella. “It’s something we enjoy to do, which brings us closer to each other.”

Despite countless hours of rehearsal, there will still be a few surprises, even to the performers.

“A lot of the time, some of the stuff people do on stage is completely different  than what happens when their practicing and its really marvelous to see these things,” said junior Jake Sandweiss, who is in Men’s Room A Capella and Giant Steps jazz ensemble.  “It’s astonishing at times!”

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in the theatre. Tickets are $3 at the door.

Written by Brandon Fredman