The Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts Half-day Program added a new experience to the performance line-up: “Academy Pops” debuted on Friday December 9th to a theater of modern music fans. The performance celebrated the music of Paramore, Adele, Carrie Underwood, Billie Elish, among others. The idea for the show was the brain child of Artist-Instructor Calvin Linderman, who arranged all the pieces. Instruments included drums, electric guitars, bass, and synthesizer, along with lead and back-up vocals.
Under the direction of Linderman and fellow Artist-Instructor Becky Ellis, students rehearsed after school for a week. Prior to a performance for the general public, a matinee was held for an audience of enthusiastic Academy students, who were encouraged by Linderman to scream out during the songs as you would at any pop music concert. The audience responded in kind with audible singing along, cheering, and using cellphone flashlights during a ballad.
Opening night audience numbers exceeded expectations. Academy Pops will be an annual event adding to the many performance opportunities Arts Half-day students have.