New Albany High School students in the “Upstage” program recently hosted an event called “Fall Out Fest” at AC’s Coffee in downtown New Albany, MS. The event offered an opportunity for approximately ten student performers to sing and play their instruments in a small and inviting atmosphere. The one and a half hour set included a broad range of musical styles and various groupings of talented students who performed before a packed house.
“Upstage” is made up of NAHS students who are involved in the after school enrichment program that is funded by the 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant. Students in “Upstage” meet three days a week after school with their peers, faculty and guest speakers from the community to learn about entertainment production.
Students plan monthly events, which provide an opportunity for other talented students to perform and share their gifts. The Upstage students not only plan the events, they also promote them through announcements, bulletins, posters and social media. They have created Twitter and Instagram accounts and routinely use these forms of media to announce upcoming events and to show highlights from the events.
Upstage students have learned to operate the sound and lighting at the events, they are responsible for packing, set up, breakdown and finally, unpacking. Another responsibility that the students have is to photograph and video each event including some practices and guest speakers. The students are learning to import and edit the photos and video to use at later dates for everything from publicity to showing the footage at other events. Footage from the first event has already been edited into small highlights and shown in the hallways of the Career and Technical Center between classes.
Guest speakers are being lined up throughout the year to teach them about everything from sound boards and light design to guest musicians who will help the performers. Students are seeking community volunteers to help with a recording session and any others who might be interested in helping them expand their horizons. Interested volunteers should contact the sponsors of Upstage and let them know of ways that they could help the students.
Most recently, New Albany High School (W.P. Daniel) alumnus Zeke Listenbee was invited to speak with the students. Zeke is a worship leader at a large church in Houston, Texas and is also a composer, producer and writer. He arranges music for a wealth of musicians and performing groups across a broad range of music. He spoke with the students about following their dreams, working harder than the next guy to earn your spot in the world, and being professional in the world of music. He also stressed to the students how fortunate they are to be in a community and school district where their creative endeavors are supported. He attributed much of his success to his music and band teachers while in New Albany and during his middle and high school band years. Zeke encouraged the teachers present to continue allowing creative students space to work and opportunities to grow, which is what Upstage is all about!
The next Upstage events you can attend and support are:
Thursday, December 11 “Holiday Hype” at the Trailhead Plaza. This event will feature Christmas music outdoors while the Downtown New Albany merchants stay open late for shopping. Music will be from 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 17 “POP-Upstage” is a casual, low-key opportunity for individual students to perform in front of smaller crowds with less pressure. There will be one microphone and very little set up for the crew. Students who perform will have the opportunity to try out new music (up to three songs) and the event will only last one hour.
The students who continue working with Upstage this year will also be providing entertainment in the NAHS Beauty Review, an evening performance of the NAHS Talent Show that will be open to the public as well as the annual NAHS Talent Show which is held during the school day for the NAHS students in May. Upstage events are scheduled for every month through May and are advertised through Twitter@NAUpstage and on Instagram@Upstage_NA. To contact the sponsors of Upstage please email nballard@newalbany.k12.ms.us or lthompson@newalbany.k12.ms.us .
