Een swingend concert vol Amerikaanse jazzklassiekers met bigband-arrangementen en dynamische jazzchoreografie.
Kom genieten van een swingend jazz- en popconcert in de Van Houtenkerk!
Betrokken:
Gecoördineerd door Philip Giampietro & Kate Morran
Co-productie door Philip Giampietro & Catherine Hopkins
Koordirigent: Stuart Youns
Hall High School’s 68th Pops ’n Jazz Brings the Art of “Putting It Together” to the German and Dutch Stages!
The 68th annual production of Pops ’n Jazz (PnJ), featuring Hall High School’s acclaimed jazz bands, dancers, and singers, will travel to Germany and The Netherlands in April for Hall High Schools’s PnJ Eurotour 2026!
Pops ’n Jazz 2026 features more than 60 student performers, including Hall High School’s Concert Jazz Band, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Dancers, and Choraliers (singers). The program offers an array of American jazz classics from all eras, performed in big band settings, highly choreographed jazz productions, and featured solo performances. The show is known for its eclectic blend of music, ranging from traditional and progressive jazz, to pop-rock and Broadway.
This year’s production explores the magic behind the music with a theatrical theme of Putting It Together, and tells the story of the collaboration and dedication of the student performers and crew members who make up PnJ. Putting it Together offers old standards and new showstoppers sure to excite the audience. More than a concert, Pops ’n Jazz 2026 pulls back the curtain on the creative process and places the spotlight squarely on the unwavering devotion of the student groups involved. The show builds bit by bit—by the end of the night, you may find that you simply can’t control your feet. Now in their second year as co-directors, Phil Giampietro and Kate Morran embraced the challenge. “For Putting It Together, we considered an even wider range of repertoire,” said Giampietro. “Some of it required extra care to tailor for a full jazz band, but that challenge became part of the excitement.” Audiences will be treated to traditional jazz repertoire such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Thad Jones, Herbie Hancock, Freddie Hubbard, and more. Broadway-style selections from West Side Story and A Chorus Line are thoughtfully staged alongside selections from the world of pop and R&B.
Hall was one of the first high schools in the United States to integrate jazz into its daily curriculum, and Hall students have since performed around the world. The award winning Hall High School Concert Jazz Band has been recognized as a national Downbeat Student Music Award winner (’20-’24), Essentially Ellington National Finalist (’18, ’19, ’21, ’23, ‘25, ‘26), Berklee High School Jazz Festival first place winner (’16-’19), Charles Mingus Festival National Finalist (’24, ‘25, ‘26) and winner (‘24, ‘25), and National Jazz Festival first place winner (’20 & ’21).
Pops ’n Jazz is co-directed by Mr. Giampietro and Ms. Morran, Director of Jazz Dancers. It is co-produced by Mr. Giampietro and Catherine Hopkins, Hall’s Theatre Director and StageCraft teacher. The Choraliers perform under the direction of Dr. Stuart Younse, Hall’s Director of Choirs. The Jazz Dancers are also led by Associate Choreographer Joseph Fierberg. Sara Avery is the costume designer. The production’s creative team includes Rorie Fitzsimmons as Set Designer and Joshua Murphy as Technical Director. Greg Fisher serves as Sound Engineer and Designer, while Kevin Michael Reed is the Lighting Designer. Hall High acting and technical theatre students play a vital role behind the scenes, serving as assistant stage managers, lighting and sound operators, and members of the costumes, props, and deck crew. Additional assistance is provided by Hall High parents, teachers and staff.
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