Hoping to add to the success of their Carnegie Hall premiere earlier this month, Blair’s vocal and instrumental musicians took to the stage in DuBois Theatre for the Spring Concert. A culmination of a semester’s worth of rehearsals, the evening marked an exciting occasion—undoubtedly—but also a poignant moment for the School’s graduating seniors. The concert brings to a close their time performing on Blair’s stage for their peers, teachers, family and friends.

Building on Their Success

Fresh off the world-famous stage at Carnegie Hall, Blair’s instrumentalists channeled that momentum into Friday’s concert. Performing Arts Chair and Director of Instrumental Music Jennifer Pagotto shared how the close succession of major performances—Carnegie Hall on April 2, Grandparents’ Day on April 16 and now the Spring Concert—has challenged students to stay sharp and continually re-engage with their music. “We’ve had to listen a little differently at each subsequent rehearsal and performance, find new elements to focus on and ways to continue to engage one another so that each performance continues to feel exciting,” said Mrs. Pagotto. 

The Spring Concert delivered a vibrant mix of repertoire, including selections the Symphony and Chamber Orchestra performed at Carnegie Hall, now joined by a medley celebrating the 30th anniversary of The Lion King. Jazz Ensemble delivered classic standards like “Bye Bye Blackbird” and “Freddie Freeloader,” with the latter showcasing a dynamic collaboration between the full ensemble and the Advanced Jazz Combo. This advanced group not only studied the original Miles Davis recording in depth but also led sessions to teach form, improvisation and style to their peers. Members of the combo took center stage as soloists in the big band arrangement and also performed “Nardis,” another Miles Davis piece, highlighting the group’s creative range and technical skill.

“I’m proud of how the students have dug into new details and continued to improve at each rehearsal, keeping the music fresh and engaging,” Mrs. Pagotto shared.

Time Makes You Bolder

As student conductor of the Blair Academy Singers choir, Fionna Lee ’25 had the opportunity to choose a song to conduct during Friday’s performance. Honoring the choir’s chosen theme of “suspend judgment” from the fall, she selected a choral arrangement of one of her favorite songs, “Landslide,” by Fleetwood Mac. The song about self-discovery and learning from your past is the message Fionna hopes to leave with her fellow Singers.

“Choir has grown to become my home over my time at Blair, and it feels bittersweet that this will be my last Spring Concert,” Fionna explained. “Over these past four years I have not only watched myself grow, but also those around me.”

Audience members also recognized familiar songs like “What Was I Made For?” from the hit movie Barbie. Director of Vocal Music Ryan Manni-Brennan explained that the pieces they performed “examine the various ways that judgment, and self-judgment, in particular, find their ways into our daily lives. It’s a normal part of growing up, and then we find ways and people who help us to overcome those feelings.” 

For Mr. Manni-Brennan’s guidance during her time at Blair, Fionna is most grateful, as well as the friends she made along the way. “I will miss choir so much next year, but I am looking forward to taking what I’ve learned over my past four years into my undergraduate career studying classical voice performance at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music.”