I See Fire: Performing Arts Lights Up The High School Stage

SEYMOUR — Seymour High School’s Performing Arts Club put on two incredible rock concerts, bringing in over 700 people between the two nights. The stage came to life with the songs of true legends like Stevie Wonder and Metallica to contemporaries like Taylor Swift and Harry Styles. These students, ranging from ages 14 – 18, put on a high quality performance that demonstrated true energetic musicianship and professionalism. The Performing Arts Club started in 2007, when they showcased Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of The Moon. Every year since then, students have put on shows for hundreds of people, each show with a different theme like 2011’s ​“Van Halen” show, or 2017’s ​“British” show. 

The Performing Arts group is filled with a variety of talented musicians, most of whom are multi-instrumentalists. This year’s theme was ​“An SHS Mixtape”, which featured an incredibly diverse and intense set of music. It had a perfect blend between older and more modern music. Some honorable mentions being John Mayer’s rendition of Wait Until Tomorrow, Metallica’s Master of Puppets, and a modern indie song called Kilby Girl.

Performers mesmerized the crowd throughout the whole show, including Jason Beaudry’s astonishing drum solo, Zachary Manson’s incredible skills on the guitar, and the powerful vocalists. Energy continued with personalities like Andrew Venditti who brought laughter and stage charisma. A section was dedicated to saying goodbye to the club’s beloved seniors, Alina Britto, Lauren Burton, PJ Dauphinais, Camille Grandy, Griffin Loock, Zachary Manson, Maya Pulgarin, and Andrew Venditti. 

There was even a special appearance from the Performing Arts Directors themselves, Joshua Swetts and newcomer Emily Esposito, bringing their artistry to the stage with Mr. Swetts’ unforgettable guitar solo and Ms. Esposito’s vocal debut in the finale I See Fire by Ed Sheeran. None of this would have been possible without them and the time they’ve put into this. Art teacher Darlene Keeffe also created the amazing backdrop behind the musicians, and Aaron Pawluk dazzled them with the stage lights.

The music department at SHS is like no other. There are music courses students take to improve their skills and also provide a great deal of creative freedom. They allow students to find themselves as artists and grow a greater appreciation for music. For instance, the Honors Ensembles course, students can further their musical knowledge with quarterly goals and perform publicly at places including Shady Knoll and Seymour Middle School. Some other programs include Introduction to Guitar, Music Production, Choir, and Band. According to last year’s data, one quarter of the school annually signs up for these courses. 

The legacy of this group lives on through past graduates who continue to live a life of music. Other Performing Arts Alumni have gone above and beyond in achieving careers in this profession and are setting amazing examples for other kids who are looking to follow a similar path. If you’d like to read some of their stories, an ​“SHS Performing Arts Alumni” page has been made on Facebook in hopes of past members reconnecting and sharing where music has brought them as adults. You can learn about past members Tom Dalia, Noelle Milia, Christian and Josh Pulgarin, James Rafferty, Miles Livolsi, Mike Godette, Austin Scott, Jayna Thomas, Kayla Fitzgerald, Steve Ungvary and many more along with their current projects!

The Performing Arts Club has not only led a generation of great musicians, but it’s also created a family. The passion and talent they build off each other’s individual skills is truly something you don’t normally see amongst high schoolers. In the words of Assistant Principal Paul Lucke, ​“They create rather than replicate” which emphasizes that these students really are true artists who will continue to shape music in the future to come.

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