SHOW OF THE WEEK: Collage Concert Saturday to Mark 50th Anniversary of Civil Rights Act

The East Lansing High School (ELHS) Arts’ Programs will host the 32^nd annual Collage Concert this Saturday, December 13, at 7:30 pm in the ELHS Center for the Performing Arts. The Collage Coffeehouse and Art Show will be tomorrow, Friday, December 12, from 7-9 pm in the ELHS Student Union and the Collage Art Exhibit will also be open from 6:45-7:30 pm prior to Saturday’s concert as well. Admission is free but donations are accepted.

Collage weekend features the talents and efforts of more than 600 ELHS students, according to David Larzelere, director of bands at ELHS. “There is no other opportunity to showcase our students at one time than the Collage weekend. It's truly a celebration of the arts in our school district and community,” Larzelere said.

The planning for the event begins in the summer. “Getting from that first planning meeting to the end of the concert on Saturday night takes hundreds of hours of preparation and coordination,” Larzelere said. “Most people have no idea how much goes in to planning this event. Just getting the program together is an undertaking. We also have a tech rehearsal with 350 student musicians all at the same time...that's interesting, to say the least.”

Katherine Sietsema, parent of two high school students who will play at Collage this weekend, said she enjoys the “mini-performances” in quick succession. “It’s an amazing way to showcase the talents of our many East Lansing Arts students. We are fortunate to have both dedicated teachers and a supportive community to encourage these very creative young people,” she said.

Larzelere said while he enjoys watching the student musicians perform on Friday and Saturday nights, it is even more rewarding to observe student growth over the long term. “While most people enjoying the concert see it for the moment that it is, as a teacher and director, I enjoy zooming out and thinking about this one experience in the context of a larger musical and artistic journey for the students,” he said.

Larzelere also enjoys taking in all the art on display in the student union. “I'm blown away by the visual arts program at East Lansing High School,” he said.

I asked Larzelere for a preview or a hint about the theme and music of this year’s Collage. Past performances have included Beatles’ music and a full band-orchestra-choir rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody. “This year's Collage does not have a theme as they have had in the past,” he said. “There will be a huge variety of musical and theatrical performances on Saturday. The finale is a powerful and moving tribute in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the passing of the Civil Rights Act, which was signed into law in the summer of 1964. The music and emotion associated with that time, is still very relevant as our society is still struggling with race relations today. This performance will take you on a roller coaster of emotions and hopefully leave you feeling hopeful and optimistic.”

Larzelere’s final thoughts on the 32^nd Annual Collage were for parents and community members to get there early to get a good seat.

Disclosure: Telaina Eriksen’s freshman son is in the ELHS band.

ELi is a reader-supported, nonprofit, noncommercial news source of, by, and for the people of East Lansing. If you want us to keep bringing you news like this, contribute now! Donate online or donate by check. Your contributions are tax deductible!