The annual Pops ‘n Jazz show will be on stage at West Hartford’s Hall High School for two weekends, beginning March 21, 2025.

By Ryan Leef and Anthony Hubbard. Photos by Craig Rosenberg

With the first notes set to be played beginning March 21, Pops ‘n Jazz 2025 is expected to captivate audiences with a fresh twist looking back on the past. This year’s performance, the 67th in the production’s history, promises to exceed expectations and break boundaries thanks to a unique theme and the contributions of new staff members.

Featuring the theme “In a Sentimental Mood,” the show seamlessly transitions from an old-timey charm to a modern groove, treating the audience to a whirlwind of excitement and mood shifts.

“It’s about having a great time and taking a break from the weirdness of reality right now,” said Choral Director Stuart Younse. “It’s been a crazy world, but I appreciate moments like these.” With this mindset, audiences are in for an unforgettable experience and a much-needed break from all the stresses surrounding the day-to-day world.

While longtime Hall bands director James Antonucci and former theater director Spencer Bazzano have left the district, new leadership in these disciplines brings fresh perspective and brand new possibilities for the show this year. As Hall junior Faith Wada said. “Mr. Antonucci’s gone, Mr. Bazzano’s gone. And I feel like this show is with a new management, fresher faces, new ideas,” she said. Phil Giampietro is now Hall’s director of bands and producer of Pops ‘n Jazz 2025 with theatre arts teacher Catherine Hopkins.

The theme of the 2025 Pops ‘n Jazz show is about “unique theme and something we haven’t done before” along with “reflecting on the past,” senior percussionist Kiki Melick said. “Audiences can look forward to different [variety of] songs between the first and second set.”

And as anyone familiar with West Hartford Public Schools arts programs, as well as many members of the public know, Pops ‘n Jazz is one of the town’s biggest productions of the year.

“I think the most challenging part, at least for me, is that this is the biggest production I’ve ever been in,” freshman jazz dancer Anaya Lal shared. “There are so many moving pieces with jazz ensembles, CJB, jazz dancers, choraleers, tech. There’s so much that has to work together, and we don’t always get to be in the same place at the same time.”

The solution to this imposing dilemma? Hard work and precision, and a lot of practice.

The performers prepared for their roles months in advance individually before coming together to refine the production. “Jazz dancers, since October, we’ve been working on all of our dances. And once we have all of our parts down, we just come together and trial and error through and get the best result that we can,” Lal said.

Younse shared his insight into this year’s “sentimental mood” theme. “The band director is new, the theater teacher is new, and I’m essentially new. This is my second year. So the whole team has changed, and we thought it was fitting to look backward and see some of the things that had come before us as we look forward to our time here,” Younse said.

“We pulled back some songs from past shows to try and pay homage to the things that have come before as we put our stamp on what will be moving forward. John Mastroianni, a past band director here, is one of our guests one night,” Younse added.

And what do the performers want audiences to take away from the show?

“I want them to have a good time. I think that’s really important because, you know, right now the world is kind of upside down, and sometimes we just need a break,” Younse said. “I think that’s what this show will do. It’s fun music. It’s serious music. It’s happy music. It’s all of the above, a lot of dancing, but nothing too serious.”

As for the performers themselves, their excitement and hard work are evident.

Lal shared that excitement and anticipation. “I’ve been dancing since I was like 2 years old, so I’ve always loved to perform. And when I learned that jazz dancers existed and that it was an opportunity here, I was just so excited to become a part of it. Last year when I was in eighth grade, I came and watched Pops ‘n Jazz and I was just in awe because there were so many different moving parts. It was so beautiful to see all of that together, so I really wanted to be a part of that this year.”

The final touches were being added to the show over the weekend in anticipation of its debut on March 21. The performers have been diligently rehearsing, and they are looking forward to seeing the audience’s response.

With a lineup that includes more than 100 student performers and guest artists such as Sara Jacovino, Pete McGuinness, John Mastroianni, Tony Kadleck, Thomas Doelger, and Erica von Kleist, the stage is set for an unforgettable show. The production features jazz ensembles, choraleers, jazz dancers, and much more, making this year’s Pops ‘n Jazz truly one to remember.

Students from select performing groups at West Hartford’s King Philip and Bristow middle schools also share the stage on various nights. “The involvement of these younger students with exemplary older students is part of the West Hartford Public School district’s effort to inspire excellence and commitment to the arts,” the Pops ‘n Jazz press release notes.

Every show the program presents is altered slightly, as there is constant rotation of notable guest musicians sure to bring an exciting and unique twist each night.

“We have three veteran Pops ‘n Jazz performers – Erica von Kleist, Pete McGuinness, and Thomas Doelger – who have all mentioned how important Pops ‘n Jazz was to them as part of their high school experience and as the artists they’ve become,” parent volunteer Jen Shagensky said of the three Hall alumni and successful professionals who are guest artists this year. Doelger is currently performing on Broadway with a lead role in Book of Mormon, and said he is especially thankful PNJ choreographer Kate Morran “for welcoming him back home, and all the PNJ greats who have preceded him on the Pops n’ Jazz stage.”

Evening performances are scheduled for March 21, 22, 27, 28, and 29, at 7 p.m. with doors opening 30 minutes before the curtain rises. In addition, a more family-friendly hour-long matinee on Sunday, March 23, beginning at 1 p.m., will also occur.

Tickets to Pops ‘n Jazz, which does have assigned seats, are available online here. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students; tickets to the Sunday matinee are $10. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Hall High School box office on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m and on show nights beginning at 6 p.m.

To stay up-to-date with Pops ‘n Jazz, follow the show on Facebook and Instagram (@popsnjazz). For more information, call the box office at 860- 929-5151 or visit hallhighbands.com.

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