Every year, the band and orchestra programs put together their first concert of the year, Pops and Pastries. This concert helps raise money for items the programs need, such as instruments, music, and funding for their trips. This concert allows students to showcase their talent and serves as a marker for them to look back on later in the year.

A CHANGE IN PACE| In previous years of pops and pastries, the orchestra would play together as one set, but this year, they took a different approach as the concert orchestra and symphony orchestra performed separately. Senior A Schroeder feels that it added more to the experience compared to past years. “I was also able to hear the concert orchestra perform,” A said, “which I haven’t gotten to in previous years. So being able to hear orchestra music from two separate groups this early in the year was super cool.”

ORGANIZED CHAOS | Performing at a concert can be a stressful experience for many. Senior Morgen Barsh proves that being involved with multiple performing arts groups can make the night all the more chaotic. “Pops and pastries can be really hectic when you’re in both,” Barsh said. “It involves a lot of running back and forth to get instruments and music, and then I was one of the people changing the set up in between groups. It’s very fast-paced but it’s still a fun experience.”

SHOW STORIES | Concerts like Pops and Pastries can be an opportunity for students to showcase their hard work. It can also be a time for students to make lasting memories, according to junior Max Hakim. “The best part is just the fun stories you have with your friends during the performances,” Hakim said.

SHOWCASING STENGTH | Though it is the first concert of the year, according to sophomore Tommy Klatt, pops and pastries still stands as a showcase of the hard work students put into performing arts. “My favorite part is that I can see the other people’s progress, and it’s a fun event to talk to other people in the arts,” Klatt said.

LASTING GROWTH| Due to pops and pastries being the first concert of the year, sophomore Emi Roque believes that it can help serve as a progress marker to look back on later in the year. “It’s the first kind of showcase for all of us, and it kind of is our starting point, but it’s also in our ending point.” Roque said.

SETTING THE MOOD | Another thing that helps set pops and pastries apart from other concerts is how the gym is arranged. Band director Tom Torrento claims that this change in scenery can greatly add to the overall vibe of the performance. “I love the ambiance of the gym after we build a couple stages and add the nice tables, chairs and lights,” Torrento said.

Q&A With Tom Torrento. 

Q- What is the most rewarding part of being a performing arts teacher?

A- As a performing arts teacher, I love that I get to teach my students for 7 years. Any of them who are at/from Parcells get me as their teacher beginning in 6th grade. Watching them grow as musicians and as humans over their middle school to high school career is so rewarding.

Q- What makes GPN Performing Arts unique compared to other schools?

 A- One of the biggest differences is that we are one of a few districts across the state who have both band and orchestra classes. This allows our band students to participate in full orchestra, an ensemble whose instrumentation mirrors that of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.