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SHS Coffeehouse shines spotlight on fine arts BY KAREN ENGDAHL, The Shopper March 27, 2018 SPRINGFIELD, Vt. – Student instrumentalists, singers, actors, painters, linguists, and other artists showcased their talents in a coffeehouse-style evening of entertainment at Springfield High School on March 22. coffeehouse Jim Chlebak and SHS Wind Ensemble. Photo by Karen Engdahl. SHS students, faculty, and community members snacked on pizza and salad in the school’s cafeteria as the SHS Wind Ensemble, with guest guitarist Mike Schlenoff – a former L.A. session player – and their own music teacher, Jim Chlebak on trumpet, kicked off the event with an up-tempo rendition of Chicago’s 1970 hit, “25 or 6 to 4.” The iconic piece, familiar to almost everyone in the audience, was written by Chicago group member Robert Lamm as a frustrated response to the time of the morning – “25 or 6 to 4 a.m.” – he sat waiting for inspiration for a song. coffeehouse SHS student artwork. Photo by Karen Engdahl. The ensemble followed the Chicago hit with another popular favorite, Michael Jackson’s “Beat It.” Originally released in 1983, the single, along with its music video, helped propel Jackson’s “Thriller” into becoming the best-selling album of all time. The single was certified platinum in the United States in 1989. Rolling Stone placed “Beat It” on the 344th spot of its list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.” Vocalists then took the stage, starting with Reilly Tennis and Chloe Husser singing Nath Brooks’ “Take Me Back to the Night We Met.” Other students from the Madrigal Singers performed songs from such well-known singer/songwriters as Sia and Adele alongside indie-style ballads by acts like “Oh Wonder” and “Two Feet.” Soloists included Mackenzie Godin, Brendan Olmsted, Lance Robinson, and Allison Gibbons as well as Tennis and Husser. Coffeehouse Parent volunteer Amanda McAllister and French teacher Sue Kelly staff the French Club fundraiser. Photo by Karen Engdahl. “I knew these singers did well in class,” said Chlebak, “but when they started to sing this popular music, they blew my socks off! These are some of the best singers I’ve worked with in many years.” Following the concert, the SHS Theatre Department presented a parent/friend preview of this year’s drama festival piece, “The Customer is Always Wrong.” They performed the same work on Saturday, March 24 at Rutland High School during one of Vermont’s Regional Drama Festivals. Adding to the artistic ambiance of the evening was an exhibit of student artwork including drawings, paintings, and mixed media pieces. Coffeehouse-goers also had the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets in support of the French Club’s trip to France. Among other prizes was a quilt handmade for the event by Jill Holmberg, mother of SHS English teacher, Sam Holmberg.
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