A Night to Remember

A Night to Remember

Or How God Spoke to Eric through High School Musical 3

As far as the International Concert is concerned, I have this to say.

Wow.

But… in the true spirit of a reflection, I must write more. If only to truly elucidate my true sentiments of the concert that we gave last week. Also, if you’re wondering what my subtitle means, I implore you to read on with the reflection. You’re in for quite a treat. J

I’m not sure if I’m biased, or if I’m truly immersed in the choir program after a year, or if it’s simply a statement of fact, but I feel that this concert impacted me much more than last year’s. Granted… last year I was a junior who was freaked out by a bunch of crying people. And I didn’t quite understand the meaning of the community that everyone was making such a big deal about. And I’m a senior this year, so I could be blowing it out of proportions.

But I return to my thesis: Wow.

Believe me; I wouldn’t be blowing off studying for my World War II exam in History tomorrow if I didn’t think this was important. I’m still an IB kid at heart, so it’s kind of painful to put that aside, but I know that I have to get this done while the vague memories of the concert still linger on in my subconscious. But I digress.

Last week’s concert exhibited such a vast variety of cultures—the only thing that could have added more culture would be to have some penguins speak on behalf of Antarctic culture (“Hello. I am a penguin. My favorite memory of Antarctica is… the snow”). The wide variety of culture was amazing—and it really is almost a shame that all of this culture is suppressed outside of the choir environment. For every kid in choir, there are several others outside of choir who live such cultural lives that we all can learn from, but never do. While I understand that they live in an American environment, they shouldn’t feel that they can’t express themselves culturally. Culture is something that I, being a white kid in the suburbs, have never been able to identify myself with. The most culture I get in my life comes from yogurt. (Laugh. That was funny.) Why people who actually live lives immersed in culture but choose to hide it behind the fashions and mannerisms of America is, in some ways, a mystery to me. I’m not saying that people should go around every day wearing robes and other such paraphernalia; I’m saying they shouldn’t be afraid to.

BLUEBERRY.

Anyway, on to the fabulousness that is High School Musical 3. This is actually deep stuff, no matter how frivolous it may seem. I was driving to THS—running late, as usual—with my iPod plugged into my stereo. On shuffle, I will add. Then, as I’m getting onto I-25, the movie’s opening number, “Now or Never” comes on. In case you are not familiar with the High School Musical franchise (the movie itself was not great, but I enjoyed the music), the movie’s protagonist, Troy, is playing his last high school basketball game ever, and as the game comes to a close, he begins to realize that his legacy is at stake, and that what he does now will immortalize him (in his high school’s records, at least) and his history. I was reaching down to skip the song when the true meaning of the song clicked in my head. I was on my way to my last international concert. I was wearing my tux shirt for the last time. True, we still have the senior concert, but I will never again (unless I flunk of course—and my chemistry grade isn’t keeping any promises J) have an international concert. There would be no way to change whatever happened that night. Once I got to the concert, it was Now or Never.

As if I weren’t freaked out enough by this bizarre coincidental pairing of song and scenario, the song ended as I was pulling up to the Thornton Parkway exit. And what song should come up next but another High School Musical 3 song called “A Night To Remember.” Of course, the song is actually about attending a prom, but the title of the song was enough to get me to think that my iPod was sending my messages. Out of nearly 1,000 songs, I got two Disney Channel pop sensations which somehow spoke to me. (If anyone cares, the chain was later broken by 3OH!3’s “My First Kiss,” but I prefer to think of that as unimportant.)

So yes. Two songs from High School Musical 3 spoke to me in the course of a single evening. As ridiculous as it sounds, I think they somehow inspired me to perform to the best of my ability. Sure, I have a lifetime of performances to come (hopefully, at least!), but I know now that there won’t be anything—no matter how professional—quite like the THS choir experience. I am heavily anticipating the senior concert (especially since I’m… you know… a friggin’ senior!) and, of course, the choir musical, whatever it may be. (I have some ideas too—I did my research and found some stuff the choir might like. J) And though I’m very excited to graduate, I also know that leaving the choir will be very sad experience.

I guess I’ll just have to enjoy it while it lasts. I have no doubt I will.

Just Freakin’ Sing!