May 5, 2025
The Ethel Holden Brownstone Canter for the Arts at 91福利 came alive with a spirited mix of popular hits, jazzy sounds, and instrumental tunes, offering an elegant atmosphere for the students鈥� final performances of the year. The Symphonic Band concert was held on Thursday, April 10; JazzCats held their concert on Tuesday, April 15; and Spring Pops, featuring all four PRCC vocal groups, was held on Tuesday, April 22.
Symphonic Band
The Symphonic Band performed a variety of instrumental pieces under the direction of Director of Bands and Instructor of Music Michael Bass and Instructor of Music/Assistant Band Director Jerry Pickering. Wood paneling along the top of the stage reflected the vibrant sound out to the audience. Selected pieces included 鈥楺uicksilver鈥� by William Owens, 鈥楢merican Barndance鈥� by Richard Saucedo, 鈥榊orkshire Ballad鈥� by James Barnes, 鈥榁iva!鈥� By Jack Wilds, 鈥楽henandoah鈥� arr. By Robert Sheldon, 鈥楶relude and Passages鈥� by Roland Barrett, and 鈥楧uke Ellington in Concert鈥� arr. by Paul Murtha.
A saxophone quartet shone with their performance of 鈥楪hibli Remix鈥� arranged by H. Takahashi. The remix featured several music selections from well-known films. Quartet members included Tyler Palavicini (Soprano Sax). Haven O’Neal (Alto Sax), Brandon Dufrene (Tenor Sax), and Brandon Smith (Bari Sax.)
Takyraah Bumpers is a sophomore at The River and a member of the PRCC Singers. She attended the concert with several vocal group members.
鈥淚 really liked the Studio Ghibli medley,鈥� said Bumpers. 鈥淚 love the films and enjoyed hearing the music tonight.鈥�
Three selections were performed by the Honors Brass Quartet: 鈥楲atinette鈥� by Harold Walters, 鈥楶avane and Rondo鈥� by Tilman Susato, and 鈥榃ay Down Yonder In New Orleans鈥� arranged by Jack Gale. Members of the quartet were Michael Bass (Trumpet), Anthony Yanez (Trumpet), Sam Cerniglia (Trombone), and Byron Expose (Tuba & Euphonium).
鈥淭hese young adults have put in tremendous effort this semester to perform this music with outstanding quality,鈥� said Bass. 鈥淓ven with limited rehearsal time, they worked diligently on their parts to bring a wonderful and diverse concert to life. We鈥檙e incredibly proud of how much they鈥檝e grown this semester!鈥�
Amanda Bilbo of Picayune came to the concert with her family and friends. She attended Pearl River years ago, playing the flute in the band.
鈥淚 really enjoyed the music selection tonight and could tell it was well rehearsed,鈥� said Bilbo. 鈥淚 appreciated the variety and American pieces, especially 鈥楽henandoah鈥�. ”
JazzCats听
PRCC鈥檚 jazz band, under the direction of Bass and Assistant Band Director/Instructor Of Music/Brownstone Technical Director Dr. Andrew Gilstrap, delighted the audience with an eclectic selection for the evening.听
Selections for the evening included 鈥楾oe Tapper鈥� by Paul Clark, 鈥楾uxedo Junction鈥� arranged by Steve Wright, 鈥業f I Gave My Heart鈥� by Kris Berg, 鈥楰aleidoscope鈥� by Erik Morales, 鈥楪reen Onions鈥� arranged by Roger Holmes, 鈥業鈥檓 Yours鈥� by Bryan Kidd, 鈥楾he Sermon鈥� by Erik Morales, 鈥楥arnival鈥� by David Samuel, 鈥楳y Foolish Heart鈥� arranged by Alan Baylock, 鈥榁ehicle鈥� arranged by Paul Jennings, and 鈥楤irdland鈥� arranged by Victor Lopez.
Soloists for the evening included Hope Bass, Michael Bass, Sam Cerniglia, Valeria Delgado, Brandon Dufrene, Byron Expose, Dr. Gilstrap, Kelton Jones, Bryson Malpass, Tyler Palavicini, Frank Peterson, and Anthony Yanez.
鈥淲e are extremely proud of the JazzCats this year,鈥� said Michael Bass. 鈥淭hey have risen to and exceeded the challenge presented to them! They have developed into a first-rate ensemble and have represented the college well 鈥� both in their presentation of their concert here in the Brownstone Performing Arts Center and their performances at area high schools throughout the year.
鈥淲e appreciate their dedication and hard work to make this happen. We’re looking forward to another great year next year!鈥�
Chloe Hopperdietzel of Picayune came to support her boyfriend, Andrew Stones, who plays drums.
鈥淚 thought it was phenomenal!鈥� said Hopperdietzel. 鈥淭he dynamics were great. Everyone was very in tune with each other.
鈥淚 really liked 鈥業鈥檓 Yours鈥� by Bryan Kidd and 鈥楥arnival鈥� as it is a fun piece.鈥�
Spring Pops听
PRCC Singers is an auditioned choral ensemble that includes all members of The Voices, Currents, and Rapids. They opened the Spring Pops concert with a grouping of familiar musical selections including 鈥楽omewhere鈥� from West Side Story, 鈥楲ittle Shop of Horrors鈥� from the musical by the same name, and 鈥榊ou Can鈥檛 Stop the Beat鈥� from Hairspray with Devin Jones, Madison Mims, Meredith Poole, and Caryln White as soloists. The group also performed 鈥楶art of Me鈥� by Matt Riley featuring Chloe Albert, Blakely Byrd, Hailey Cronin, Rio Dufrene, Delta Howard, Cole Lucas, Jack Moeller, Tynesha Sibley, and Jayda Snow as soloists.听
Rapids, an advanced tenor/bass ensemble, performed 鈥楲et Her Go鈥� by Passenger, 鈥楻unaround Sue鈥� by Dion, and 鈥楧iamonds鈥� by Sam Smith. Soloists included Wyatt Barletter, Nathan Carr, Lucas, and Lucas Stringer.
Currents, an advanced treble ensemble, performed 鈥楽ay a Little Prayer鈥� by Dionne Warwick, 鈥業 Love Me鈥� by Demi Lovato, ‘Sugar’ by Maroon, ‘Coffee’ by Tori Kelly, ‘Gonna Be Me鈥� by NSYNC, and 鈥榊鈥� by Citizen Queen. Soloists included Albert, Rylee Brister, Byrd, Grace Hester, Jolie Holcomb, and Tynesha Sibley.
Their final song of the evening, 鈥楽mart Iowa鈥� by Trousdale, was recently released on streaming services including and Apple Music, featuring Brister, Byrd, and Anna Grace Culbreth as soloists. The selection was part of their set for the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) Quarterfinal competition hosted at Pearl River in February.听
The Voices performed 鈥榃hen She Loved Me鈥� by Sarah McLachland with Howard as soloist, 鈥業鈥檓 Tired/Symptom of Life鈥� by Willow with Georgia Anne Blackwell, Jones, Mims, and Lucy Spiers as soloists, 鈥業t Was Always You鈥� by Maroon with Moeller as soloist, and 鈥極ut My Way鈥� by Leroy Sanchez with Jones as soloist.
The evening ended with The Voices’ performance of 鈥楥reep鈥� by Radiohead with Mims as soloist. The group has recorded this and a few other selections from their 2024-2025 repertoire to be .听听
鈥淪pring Pops was a wonderful way to end a great year with a special group of students and musicians,鈥� said Director of Choral Groups Dr. LaDona Tyson. 鈥淚 am inspired each day by their work ethic, dedication, and care for one another. It has been a fantastic year!鈥�
Debbie Evans of Lumberton came with her husband to hear their son Nathan perform with PRCC Singers.
鈥淭he concert was very good,鈥� said Evans. 鈥淚 really enjoyed their performance of 鈥楽omewhere鈥� and 鈥楲ittle Shop of Horrors鈥�. I look forward to attending future student concerts.鈥�
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Article by Laura O’Neill. Photography by Lauren Johnson, Laura O’Neill and River Roderick.
