For most teens, it’s a thrill to see a favorite performer in concert. For about 30 Pioneer Valley High School students, going behind the scenes is even better.
Students in Richard Hernandez’s music and choir classes will get to participate in a soundcheck for a live Jason Derulo concert.
“The kids are so excited about this one. It’s someone they know, they’ve heard on the radio, and so it makes it really exciting to be a part of this, see what it takes to put on a show and meet him,” Hernandez said.
The students will sit in during the soundcheck at the House of Blues, and they’ll have a chance to meet with the people in charge of wardrobe, sound, lighting, and other concert elements. They’ll then be treated to a live show and a chance to ask Derulo some prepared questions, followed by an opportunity for photographs and autographs.
As a member of the Recording Academy, Hernandez has had the opportunity to take his students to several soundchecks through the academy’s grammy Foundation, which supports music in schools. Most recently, students have had a chance to participate in soundchecks for the likes of Ke$ha, The Fray, Kanye West, and Gavin McGraw.
“Judging from the last experience—their reactions and the looks on their faces—they learn an appreciation for live performance and the skills needed to put on a live show,” Hernandez said.
Taylor Perea said she’s never been to a live concert, and she’s a fan of Derulo, so the experience will be a memorable one.
“He started off young, too, and it will be inspiring to see him and know that he came from the same place as me, starting out so young,” she said. “I want to be able to break out like that and reach all of those achievements he has.”
As a big music fan and a songwriter himself, Dustin Barclay said he’s interested in knowing what goes on behind the scenes: “I’m mostly looking forward to seeing how the music world works, what they do, how they prepare.”
Other students are most interested in the performance itself.
Jordan DeHoog said she’s curious how Derulo engages his audience live and whether he ever gets nervous.
“I would just like to see him perform live and how he connects with the audience,” DeHoog said. “Because connecting with the audience live is so much different than the way a musician connects through hearing them on the radio.”
Frankie Compston said he’s a piano player and doesn’t plan to pursue music as a career, but he is curious to find out why Derulo chose to pursue music.
“I’m just excited about the opportunity to ask him what inspired him,” he said.
The students will get their answers at the soundcheck, along with a valuable, one-of-a kind experience they’ll get to take with them and apply to their own musical pursuits.
Arts Editor Shelly Cone, can you hear me? One, two, three—testing! Contact her at scone@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Oct 21-28, 2010.