“Many thanks and props to everyone who performed and helped out at the all school ... you're all so talented and you all sounded SO GREAT!!” ~ Brooke Webster ’08

May 1, 2008 -- Brewster’s many talented community members got a chance to “strut their stuff” this morning onstage at Anderson Hall. The audience rewarded the performers with appreciative cheers and applause throughout.

Organized by Music Director Andy Campbell, the show began with the combined Chamber Orchestra and Wind Ensemble’s performance of “Tango” by José Ferrer. Next up was the Jazz Band, accompanied by master clarinetist Joe Rinaldi, music instructor Candace Graham on oboe, and Campbell on piano with their renditions of “One O’Clock Jump,“ “Peter Gunn Theme,” and “The Chicken” during which Hyun Soo Kim ’08 stepped in to play piano.

In a surprise presentation, three of the drama students who had roles in “West Side Story” came up on stage to give framed photos of the cast, complete with signatures, to Campbell, Drama Director Phil Atkins, and Mike Cooper as remembrances.

Female soloists were the next feature, performing in a great variety of styles: Anna Parker ’09 sang the mellow, folksy “From Where I’m Standing” accompanied by backup vocalist Alex Moulton ’08, Steve Patterson on guitar and BG Hodges ’66 on conga drum. Campbell accompanied Brittanie Pierce ’10 on the classic ballad “The Nearness of You;" Grace Apfeld ’10 on “Think of Me” from Phantom of the Opera; and Amanda Graham ’10 on the bluesy “Lessons Learned.”

HOWL chorus was up next to perform the Beatles’ ballad “Because.” The new-formed band “Authentic Assessment” comprising Campbell, Tyler Wood ’08, Ben Ross ’08, Hodges, Moulton, and Patterson then performed a Roy Orbison tune and the Beatles’ “You Won’t See Me” with Campbell, Patterson, and Hodges on vocals, helped out by Moulton and Parker. Campbell then rocked out on Elton John’s “Levon” that brought hoots and whistles from the audience for his performance.

The hilarious finale featured HOWL singing “Why Can’t We Be Friends” with various soloists stepping up to the microphone to sing individual verses with exaggerated attitudes and emphasis that went over well with the audience. The singers went into the audience to pull students and faculty onstage to sing, including Mike Cooper.

“Underneath the layer that consists of our books, homework, sports, stress, quizzes, tests, BMPs, and countless other components of any standard high-schooler's life; underneath all of that lies a wealth and depth of artistic ability and talent that could far surpass anyone’s expectations.” ~ Ryan Cooper ’09