As a result of brisk ticket sales to the winter Guitar Club Concert, the real guitar heroes of Benet Academy raised over $1,200 in charitable contributions for Christmas Drive. The concert had a huge turnout, and Mr. Adam Akin, the club moderator and a musician himself, remarked, “My favorite part was having so many family, friends, students and faculty in attendance.” Concert guests were treated to performances by a variety of instrumental and vocal acts, ranging from guitar-centric bands to a girl power anthem, “You Don’t Own Me,” that highlighted a harpist as well as a triangle player. In addition, several musical genres were represented, so there truly was something for everyone. Songs ranged from “Fat Bottom Girls” by rock band Queen, to pop songs like Paramore’s “Ain’t It Fun” and Alicia Keys’ “If I Ain’t Got You.”
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Throughout the 90-minute show, two witty Benet seniors, Jimmy Watson and Ali Munson, offered clever and fun commentary to shepherd along the evening’s events. Watson and Munson were both humorous and educational. For instance, they explained introductory Japanese phrases before junior John Go performed the song “Searching for Father,” which was written by a Japanese artist. Mr. Akin added, “I thought the entire show was great and especially the MC’s [Master of Ceremonies].”
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Although the MC’s and performers made it look easy, a lot of work and preparation went into the show. Junior Josh Domingo, a drummer and Guitar Club veteran, put in hours of practice with friends before performing for the third time this December. He said the concert “was very different” from his previous performances. “[My group] and I were having trouble picking what song we were going to do. We went back and forth from song to song…We wanted to make a big impact.” Their careful consideration paid off as they impressed the crowd with their rendition of “Welcome to the Jungle,” by the rock legends Guns ‘n Roses.
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Another highlight of the concert included a performance by several Benet teachers, past and present. Guitarists Mr. Akin and Mr. Matt Wash teamed up with Mr. John Taska on tenor saxophone to finish off the concert with three songs. During the final number, a rendition of “Closing Time,” originally by Semisonic, the whole cast of performers came on stage to dance and take a final bow. As the lyrics fittingly reminded, at closing time “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.”