Liz Beson / Illustrator
As per usual, the YellowJackets blew audience members away when they performed on Friday, April 4 in Strong Auditorium.
After they graced the stage with their trademark yellow suit jackets and ties, they roused the audience with a fresh take on Bastille’s “Pompeii.” This was followed up with their classic Beach Boys medley that showed off the Jackets’ dance ability in addition to their wonderful voices.
Much of the focus of the spring show was on the graduating seniors. Between each song younger members of the Jackets read entries from seniors that gave the audience a good laugh.
The concert continued with Mumford and Sons’ “Hopeless Wanderer,” a Stevie Wonder medley, and Jason Mraz’s “I Won’t Give Up.”
The Jackets gave the audience a chance to see their full set from the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) by performing their medley of “Say Something” and “Such Great Heights,” featuring the dancers of Ballet Performance Group. The dancers glided across the stage, complementing the powerful vocal performance.
The second part of the concert was dedicated to the graduating seniors – each song emulated an individual senior’s personality and passions. The tribute began with Sammy Adams’ “All Night Longer” with a slight twist – a special intro that properly introduced senior Abhishek Sharma.
Unlike the other featured soloists, exchange student Dan Hodd, junior, will not be graduating next year. Hodd is returning to England to finish school, and fittingly performed a calming rendition of Cole Porter’s “Every Time We Say Goodbye.”
Following Hodd’s throwback was Galen Dole’s performance of “I Can Go The Distance” from Disney’s “Hercules.” Aden Brooks covered The Beatles’s“Across the Universe.”
In one of the show’s most memorable moments, Chris Urquiaga brought a cover of the ‘90s classic “I Believe I Can Fly” to the stage, leaving the crowd reminiscing about the decade of “Space Jam” and all-star, Michael Jordan.
The concert finished up with Matt Carlin singing “Runaway Baby,” bringing the intensity of the show to its final peak.
The show was a success. With each song, audience members were either on the edge of their seats or bouncing up and down to the rocking styles of the YellowJackets.
Nidenberg is a member of
the class of 2017.
