Students prepare to share the stage with Seattle hip-hop band
By JULI GOETZ MORSER
Staff Writer
December 10, 2014
In the empty commons at Vashon High School last Thursday, singer-songwriter Sarah Christine listened to three female students rehearse for the upcoming Sharing the Stage performance with Seattle hip-hop band Brothers From Another, slated to begin at 8 p.m. Friday at the Red Bike.
Sarah Christine gave the students feedback on their music, on how to stand and breathe for maximum voice projection, and she delivered it all with warmth and enthusiasm. Sarah Christine is the chosen musical mentor this year for the program that began as the brainchild of VHS teacher Harris Levinson and islanders Fred Strong and Rob Bordner.
Sharing the Stage, set for its ninth show, pairs student musicians with professionals who rehearse the students to open for guest artists, including big names like Macklemore and emerging bands like Brothers From Another.
“We had the opportunity to bring Brothers From Another back to the island; they performed last May,” Levinson said. “The students said they’d love to see them again, and the group is enjoying a lot of popularity right now.”
The May show also included for the first time three middle school students—Sarah Hotchkiss, Maijah Sanson-Frey and Whitney Silkett—who performed under the name of Daisy Chain. This year, the trio will perform as individuals.
“It’s fun to harmonize in a group,” said Hotchkiss, “but you can do what you want when it’s just you.”
Silkett said the last show was fun and that they are excited to do it again. Sanson-Frey agreed, adding they had a chance to talk with Brothers From Another.
“They were nice. They have a lot of energy,” she said. “And all the teens on the island really like them.”
As for the band, Levinson remarked that they, too, had a good time on Vashon and are looking forward to returning.
In the meantime, Sarah Christine—like previous mentors Ian Moore and Jacob Bain—will help the students polish their performances.
“Sarah Christine will give them something to think about between now and our next rehearsal when we’ll have the two bands as well,” Levinson said.
The other student bands performing are Fixing Your Fig, with Graham Hazzard (drums), Aaron Kitchener (sax) and Chris Beardsley (keys) and Ten Cent Time Machine, with Quinn McTighe (electric guitar, vocals), Payton Lieske (electric guitar), Kai Li Scheer (electric bass) and Isaiah Hazzard (drums).
When Sarah Christine finished conveying her comments, she expressed praise for the budding artists.
”I am so inspired by all of you,” she said.
By JULI GOETZ MORSER
Staff Writer
December 10, 2014
In the empty commons at Vashon High School last Thursday, singer-songwriter Sarah Christine listened to three female students rehearse for the upcoming Sharing the Stage performance with Seattle hip-hop band Brothers From Another, slated to begin at 8 p.m. Friday at the Red Bike.
Sarah Christine gave the students feedback on their music, on how to stand and breathe for maximum voice projection, and she delivered it all with warmth and enthusiasm. Sarah Christine is the chosen musical mentor this year for the program that began as the brainchild of VHS teacher Harris Levinson and islanders Fred Strong and Rob Bordner.
Sharing the Stage, set for its ninth show, pairs student musicians with professionals who rehearse the students to open for guest artists, including big names like Macklemore and emerging bands like Brothers From Another.
“We had the opportunity to bring Brothers From Another back to the island; they performed last May,” Levinson said. “The students said they’d love to see them again, and the group is enjoying a lot of popularity right now.”
The May show also included for the first time three middle school students—Sarah Hotchkiss, Maijah Sanson-Frey and Whitney Silkett—who performed under the name of Daisy Chain. This year, the trio will perform as individuals.
“It’s fun to harmonize in a group,” said Hotchkiss, “but you can do what you want when it’s just you.”
Silkett said the last show was fun and that they are excited to do it again. Sanson-Frey agreed, adding they had a chance to talk with Brothers From Another.
“They were nice. They have a lot of energy,” she said. “And all the teens on the island really like them.”
As for the band, Levinson remarked that they, too, had a good time on Vashon and are looking forward to returning.
In the meantime, Sarah Christine—like previous mentors Ian Moore and Jacob Bain—will help the students polish their performances.
“Sarah Christine will give them something to think about between now and our next rehearsal when we’ll have the two bands as well,” Levinson said.
The other student bands performing are Fixing Your Fig, with Graham Hazzard (drums), Aaron Kitchener (sax) and Chris Beardsley (keys) and Ten Cent Time Machine, with Quinn McTighe (electric guitar, vocals), Payton Lieske (electric guitar), Kai Li Scheer (electric bass) and Isaiah Hazzard (drums).
When Sarah Christine finished conveying her comments, she expressed praise for the budding artists.
”I am so inspired by all of you,” she said.
