On Friday April 4th at 7 p.m., Tri-M, the music honor society, hosted a school-wide talent show. Large crowds came to the free show to support their competing loved ones and appreciate the variety of skills students brought to the stage.
This showcase of BJHS talent was the brainchild of Shannon Farr, the president of Tri-M. It began as an opportunity for Tri-M members to earn performance credits, but Farr made the decision to open the auditions to the whole school.
“Why not?” she said.
This is the first time Tri-M has hosted its own talent show at Bob Jones in “a long time,” according to Farr. It came together through the efforts of Tri-M members and supportive students alike.
Contestants split into four categories for competition: Miscellaneous, Individual Instruments, Singing, and Bands. Performers vied for the top two cash prizes, $50 for second place and $100 for first place, in their individual category and for the overall winning title.
A wide variety of talent graced the stage. The enthusiastic audience welcomed acts ranging from beat-boxing to stand-up comedy. With the Tri-M focus on music, many contestants took their own spin on performing songs, whether doing improvisational dancing or singing a ukulele cover.
Shannon Farr announced the winners as follows:
Miscellaneous: First Place—Julie Cunningham (hip-hop dance routine); Second Place—Monday Sanderson (spoken poetry)
Individual Instruments: First Place—Tina Tian (piano); Second Place—David Mok (piano)
Singing: First Place: Samantha Stratton (singing with a ukulele); Second Place—Vanessa Cardwell (singing an original song with a guitar)
Bands: First Place—Tatonka; Second Place—Negative Basket
Overall Winner: The Upbeats (band)
The good-natured members of the Upbeats were more than happy to take home the prize and share their love of music. The members of the Upbeats include James Eaton on lead guitar and vocals, Aaron Barr on drums, Sam Benefield on guitar and Marty Fore on bass.
According to the band members, who prepared for competition by “jamming out in a basement,” said their style is described as “coffee house rock,” but they claim just to be “good old-fashioned rock n’ roll.”
What gave this band an edge over the rest?
“We played original music,” said Sam Benefield, Bob Jones senior.
Whether contestants brought home prizes or not, they certainly showed that Bob Jones is a school full of many “dadgum talented students”.
