As a choir kid, I found myself at home in the PAC, but this trip  was a little different. A good different; last night was the first of hopefully many GHHS talent shows.I’m used to sitting through formal choir concerts, but the laid back, casual atmosphere of last night’s show was refreshing with more than choral music and classical band or orchestra pieces. There were  theatrics, pop singing, and dancing. At the end of the show, two winners were chosen. One solo act and one group, to represent Grand Haven at the Muskegon Student Showcase.

The Singing

Despite the variety of the show, singing was dominant. And I wish I could highlight everyone. I was blown away by all the performances. To showcase some that truly stood out, senior Katie McKee performed “If You Could Read My Mind” by Gordon Lightfoot. The audience was first blown away by her elegant piano playing, but then she started singing. The room was still. There was such an innocence and compassion in her voice. On a more theatrical note, senior Mykenzie Miller sang “Don’t Wanna be Here” by Adam Gwon. It was as if she was on Broadway, taking the stage and beautifully blending acting with singing, she made it very clear that she did not want to be there. It wouldn’t be right if we left out senior Mackenzie Trowbridge, the solo winner of the show. In honor of freshman Carter Dyke, she performed “Nightingale” by Demi Lovato. She possessed such soul and emotion that comes through as she moves seamlessly through the song.

Dance

As someone who has learned everything she knows about dance from the two episodes of Dance Moms I could sit through, I was impressed with the dancing. I can’t say I appreciate it like others could, but there was an undeniable elegance to each piece. Junior Kelsey Werner’s piece, “These Four Walls”, stood out to me, I needed a “Dance for Dummies” book to understand it, but she moved beautifully and the emotion was evident. The “Angels” group, (Grace Armstrong, Kayleigh Bragington, Talia Desanto, Rya Greene, Hannah Hansen, Natalie Mulder, Amber Wallish and Kelsey Werner) took the win for the group competition. They showed true talent and worked well as a team.

Other Acts

I, along with the rest of the audience, fell in love with the sextet of Max Levandowski, Nick Sterenberg, Nick Johnson, Scott Bays, Tommy Pancy and Dan Parrish. They became the six stooges of brass. As for junior Ben Gross, last year’s solo representative at the student showcase, also changed my opinion of drums. I’m used to seeing him in uniform, keeping time at football games but tonight all he had was a computer, a drum and his trusty drum sticks. It was nothing short of exciting. I’ve never heard a piece as dramatic on one drum, props Ben. One last act that truly deserves recognition is Danielle Baumgarner. She continued the trend of defying a stigma for marching band, this time with colorguard. I’ve never understood the appreciation I see for flag spinning but when it was taken off the football field and turned into a lyrical, raw performance to “Say Something”, I was truly impressed.

Although they were not in the running, emcees Zach Hansen and David Slocum were so wonderfully bad. Between Chuck Norris jokes so bad they were good and NPR references, they filled in the awkward gaps between acts with more awkwardness and somehow, it worked. Ben Rodgers also could have won the show with his pass time during deliberation. He strutted onto stage with nothing but a guitar and, knowing him, I assumed we were in for a classic rock tune. Maybe Guns n’ Roses, maybe Stevie Nicks. When he announced that he had found the song that will stand the test of time I was sure it would be straight out of the 70s. I was 30 years off. Let me tell you Rodgers, I will not let you live down the fact that you sang “Hit Me Baby One More Time” in front of the entire audience.

Overall the show was great, and it was so nice to get a change of pace and see the talent that you usually wouldn’t. Here’s to many more years and good luck to those representing us at the showcase, make Grand Haven proud. No pressure.