Sherwood High School in Sandy Spring, Maryland, transformed into a time machine last night, unspooling the 54th edition of the legendary Rock ’n’ Roll Revival. A tradition that has electrified the school since 1971, this year’s “Mixtape” wasn’t just a concert; it was a high-octane celebration of student grit and artistic brilliance.
The long tradition of “Mixtape” (Voxitatis)The Symphony of Student Power
The statistics alone are staggering: 300 students strong. Whether they were laying down incendiary guitar licks, wailing on a saxophone, or soaring into the stratosphere on a violin, the talent was undeniable. But the magic happened behind the scenes, too, with students directing, designing light shows, and executing costume changes with professional-grade precision.
Side A: From Purple Rain to Smoky Jazz
The show ignited with a burst of energy in the aisles, led by a dance corps that kept the house’s pulse racing. Jameson Sommerville delivered a stellar, “crazy” tribute to Prince before the stage shifted into 1963 with Carole King’s “One Fine Day.” Chris Karadimov’s killer sax and Melina Wease’s shoo-be-do-wop stylings proved that classic pop never goes out of style.
The atmosphere then took a sultry turn. Evelyn San Miguel performed a spine-tingling rendition of Peggy Lee’s “Fever,” accompanied by a sonorous string bass. The performance was so intimate it felt like a private set in a dimly lit, midnight jazz club.
The hits kept coming:
- Stevie Wonder Vibes: Caleb Ponce (shades and all) brought the house down with “Don’t You Worry ’bout a Thing.”
- Orchestral Grunge: Violinists Kay Gbade, Jason Nguyen, Mateo Howell, and Alexander Zirkelbach added a haunting, lyrical depth to several numbers, including the Indigo Girls’ “Ghost.”
- Alumni Shredding: We were treated to howling licks on Pearl Jam’s “Even Flow,” while music director Alex Silverbrook added a piercing tenor sax to Bowling for Soup’s “1985.”
Side B: Vocal Power and Virtuosic Strings
If Side A was about energy, Side B was about vocal dominance. Áine Lynch channeled Reba McEntire’s country soul, and Lucy Crompton took us back in time with a powerhouse Cher tribute.
The highlight of the night, however, was a moment of pure “crossover” artistry. During The Chicks’ “Cowboy Take Me Away,” Jason Nguyen made his violin sing with the smoothness of an operatic aria. His execution revealed a technical pedigree that would be at home in a world-class symphony, proving that Sherwood’s fine arts program is in a league of its own.
Other standout moments included:
- Five-Part Harmony: A semicircle of vocalists (Lynch, Crompton, Tyler Ferigno, Graham Milner, and Ethan Moore) delivered a masterclass in tuneful blend on the Eagles’ “Seven Bridges Road.”
- The Belt: Maria Hilario closed the gap between the stage and the sky with her rendition of Jennifer Hudson’s “Love You I Do.”
- Heart on the Sleeve: Elijah Goodman kept it rockin’ with Billy Joel, even taking a moment to send a sweet shout-out to his mom in the crowd.
KISS’s “Rock ’n’ Roll All Nite” was the finale (Voxitatis)The Final Encore
The night ended as all great rock shows should: with the painted faces of KISS and a crowd ready to rock ’n’ roll all night. As the house lights came up in the Ertzman Theatre, one thing was clear: the “Mixtape” tradition is more than a show; it’s the heartbeat of Sherwood High.
Don’t Miss Out!
A few tickets are still available for the final performances on March 13, 14, and 15. Grab yours now and witness the revival for yourself!
