The Upper School Choirs recently took to the stage of Orthwein Theatre to present an MICDS community favorite: the annual Spring Pops Concert! This high-energy concert, a staple in the MICDS performing arts program since 2008, featured a mix of current and classic pop music, all choreographed by MICDS students.
Upper School Choir Director Dana Self said, “The thing that I enjoy the most about the Spring Pops Concert is that it is student-driven. After we have learned the music, the students take over the process to create and teach the choreography that goes along with each song. Students are also responsible for the stage set-up and decorations, lighting and sound, as well as a handful of other details that pop up along the way.”
“Overall, I think the Spring Pops Concert went really well,” said Nicole Dai ’23. “This concert is always my favorite of the two or three that we do each year particularly because we get to sing songs we’re already familiar with as well as choreograph dances to them. I always love watching the other choirs along with the soloists, and it’s also fun peering through the Orthwein doors and watching the audience’s reaction or quietly dancing to songs backstage. I think the best moment was the first night when all the seniors wore onesies for the opening song. The people in the audience were definitely laughing at us because ‘we looked like a bunch of zoo animals’ according to DSelf, which made it all the more memorable.”
The 2023 concert included music by FUN, Dolly Parton, Hootie and the Blowfish, Journey, Toto, Madonna, American Authors, Adele, Plain White T’s, ABBA, and more!
“We begin working on the concert music in mid-January, with a goal to have all of it learned by mid-February,” said Self. “Then we begin working on choreography, which brings the music to life. Before we leave for spring break, we push to have four dances completely choreographed. The race to the finish line begins when we return following spring break in reviewing, and sometimes re-teaching, what we already know, as well as learning a couple of new dances. Adding the audience is the final stage of the process. The students can feel the excitement in the audience, which helps to fuel their excitement as performers and take their performance to the next level. They always rise to the challenge, and I couldn’t be more proud of the final product come concert night.“
Self continued, “The student choreographers volunteer their time to design and teach the choreography that accompanies each song. These students get a good taste of what it’s like to be a teacher. They are charged with designing choreography for students with different levels of dance experience, ranging from no experience to those students who dance professionally. During the performance, the students make the choreography look so easy, but it really is the result of many hours of work. It’s true that practice makes perfect.”
“This year’s Spring Pops Concert was an absolutely amazing experience!” said Amisha Poojari ’25. “I love this concert especially because of the vibrant energy and fun-filled feel that comes with dancing and singing. All three choirs had such a great time not only when we performed but throughout the whole journey to prepare. Some of my personal favorites were Hello, Hey There Delilah, and Don’t Stop Believin’. Although I must admit that the crowd favorites were both Chapel of Love and Get Me to the Church, in which both the girls and boys choirs collaborated together. All that being said, I think we can all agree that this year’s concert was another step in the return of MICDS community traditions from our pre-covid years. Being able to see teachers, family, and some of my favorite friends out in the audience just made the experience even better! That’s why I do believe that this concert will be a memory that lasts forever.”
Grant LaMartina ’25 said, “My favorite song in the concert to perform was Get Me to the Church because it was a full production number. The dances we did added a fun energy and the ending with confetti and flowers was a great way to finish off the concert!”
Five featured soloists took to the stage at both performances, selected by a committee made up of senior choir members, Upper School faculty members, and choir alumni. Featured soloists for the 2023 concert included Aanya Tiwari ’23, Noah Macam ’23, Alizeh Jawaid ’23, and a duet by Livi Thomas ’23 and Grace Villagomez ’24.
The senior choir members in the Class of 2023 were recognized at the end of the Friday night concert. Each senior received a framed copy of their favorite song performed during their high school career.
Click here to read the program.
Bravo! Brava! to our talented Upper School choir!