Sweet sounds made from garbage cans

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There was excitement everywhere last Thursday evening on Cherry Hill, and it came in form of some special music and spectacular sounds.

There was a certain blend of humor and happiness professionals like Matt Gingras and Ron Lamoureux would readily attest, that was without question a classic celebration for Johnson High School’s award-winning Music Department and featured the Jazz Band, Concert Chorus, Select Choir and Concert Band.

The first-ever Collage Concert was an overwhelming success and a tribute, in part, for the director’s appreciation of seeing the JHS student music ambitions skyrocket over the past year.

“The Collage Concert allowed students to showcased their individual talents,” Gingras, who is nearing his first year of completion as a JHS music teacher, said. “Like a collage is made up of many different images, a Collage Concert contains many student driven acts.”

Gingras, who directs the JHS Select Choir that recently won a rating of “Excellent” at the highly-acclaimed Music in the Parks Festival in Williamsburg, Virginia, may have understated that fact.

With proud parents – and in many cases grandparents looking on and listening – last Thursday night’s inaugural Collage Concert featured more than 20 different high-powered and prolific performances. So much so, in fact, the thunderous sound of applause almost overpowered the a rather unique performance by white T-shirt clad members of the JHS percussion ensemble who were tendered a standing ovation after banging away on over-sized silver metal garbage cans.

“There’s a lot of talent inside this (JHS) auditorium,” said one viewer. “The people in charge should be proud of what their students are doing and achieving.”

Gingras, who takes pride in the Lamoureux-led “Terrific Teacher Trio” that includes Oliver Reid, said: “The goal of this performance was to keep people guest what will happen next. I’m sure the audience was on the edge of their seats.”

That could have also been the understatement of the night, simply because the variety of singing – and music from JHS musicians – was outstanding. Percussion students played trash cans and sang from the aisles. The night included dancers, singers as well as piano players, a Collage Concert that was JHS music at its all-time best.

“Our students were crucial to the success of this concert,” Gingras, who also accompanied students with a piano back-up, said. “Without them there would be no show. They put together many of the (individual) performances but also helped with stage changes.”

Richard Bartlett, a one-time appraisal company owner from Warwick who has friends in Johnston and took in the Collage Concert, said: “This is so exciting and I don’t have any connection with the school whatsoever. A very impressive show, for sure!”

Bartlett, in fact, suggested that “the stage changes must have been challenging yet the kids worked diligently and it appeared that things went smoothly.”

So smooth that with all the different set changes – and nearly two-dozen individual performances – the Collage Concert went off without a hitch and featured an ambitious program during the two-hour performance.

“Students voice is so important in a department,” Gingras said. “It increases participation and investment. Not only did students participate, they watched and supported their friends on the stage.”

Lamoureux, who has the JHS Music Department scaling new heights, said: “We have had a busy concert season. This concert was lighter. The music was familiar and exciting. It was a way to say thank you to the students – and families – that have been a huge part of making this year a success.”

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