By Axel Lagunas and Diana Europa

As the 2021-2022 school year comes to an end, a tradition that has not been able to be upheld because of the virtual learning over the last two years – the Spring Concert – is back. It was a chance for the class of 2022 to bid a musical farewell to the PHS, PREP and PACE. What better way to say goodbye to the senior year for musicians than to host their last Spring Concert?

The Spring Concert was held at the Shirelle’s Auditorium on June 1, 2022. The concert introduced a new concept of performing music as it was considered a ¨mixture¨ with the spotlight being handed back and forth between the District Orchestra, Choir, and Passaic High School Band and Marching Band. The reason for this new change was to keep the presentation moving and exciting with one song being performed while the next groups was preparing, and therefore less time in between sets.

The spotlight was first handed over to the District Orchestra which performed “Rolling in the Deep” and “My Heart Will Go On,” which is from the popular movie Titanic and featured a wonderful solo by Jonathan Flores-Rugerio. After their performance the District Orchestra transitioned the audience’s attention to the District Choir which performed ¨If You Can Walk You Can Dance.’’

The spotlight was then handed over to the Passaic High School who presented its Sax Ensemble who performed a very groovy ¨Take Five¨. The spotlight went back to the District Orchestra which had only senior musicians perform ¨Fields Of Gold¨ dedicated to all of the senior musicians who performed in the Spring Concert as well as the the seniors in the audience for their years in High School. It was an emotional scene as members of the audience and the seniors in the performance were featured and remembered their time here in PHS.

The Choir followed up with the classic ¨Pure Imagination” from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory as well as ¨Almost Is Never Enough¨ featuring an amazing soloist Itzel Ramos. Itzel, a sophomore, is excited to continue in Choir and hopes to continue performing in the music and theatre departments. She said, “I never knew before now just how much I love to perform.”

Next was the bold sound of the PHS Marching Band who performed “Armed Forces on Parade” and “Celebration for Wind and Percussion.” The loud and rhythmic sound of the Marhcing Band contrasted the more subtle sound of the Orchestra. The Orchestra performed “Pirates of the Caribbean.”

Then it was time for the Choir to take the spotlight featuring two more great soloists Jasiel Gerena and Nicole Tepo who provided heartfelt solos in “To Make you feel my love.” The Choir was not done. The girls ensemble sang, “Nine Hundred Miles.” The District Orchestra given the spotlight one last time gave their last performance “Avengers” ending their portion of the program. Last, but not least, the Marching Band was honored with the finale song of the Spring Concert and the last performed song of the school year, “Pulse” and gave the Spring Concert of 2022 a spectacular overall ending.

This was a trying year, coming back from the pandemic lock-downs, but the Band, Orchestra, and Choir are all back in full swing and better than ever.

Mr. Rusca said, “I would like to thank parents. family, friends, teachers and staff who took time to come and hear our performance this evening. We would like to thank the Administration at PHS, PREP, and PASE for your constant support of our music department.”

Mrs. Gauthier added, “A special thanks to Mrs. Latasha Casterlow-Lalla our District Music Supervisor and a very special thanks to Ms. Godovanik and Mr. Keith Place for accompanying the choir. I would like to thank Mr.Rusca for all his help with the auditorium and the audio-visual.”

Mrs. Rusewics added, “I would like to recognize and thanks the students. You have to put countless hours of rehearsal into ensuring that this performance was excellent. Also, all of the music teachers want to say that you should have a great and restful summer!”