Members of Mercersburg Academy’s Jazz Band, String Ensemble, and the school’s a cappella groups (Octet and Magalia) will take the stage for the Spring Pops Concert Friday, March 29, at 7:30 p.m. in the Burgin Center for the Arts’ Simon Theatre. The performance is free and open to the public and, as an added treat, will include a number of student solos from the senior class.

For the first time in the history of the Pops Concert, the String Ensemble will perform. “I’m immensely proud of what these young musicians have accomplished,” said Michael Cameron P ’26, director of the group. “I’m sincerely grateful to my colleagues in the Arts Department for this opportunity to contribute to this upcoming program.”

Their repertoire includes such pieces as “Yeah” by Usher and “Every Breath You Take” by The Police.

“I look upon any performance as much more than a public gathering with music,” said Cameron. “I look upon a performance as a cultural event. ‘Pops’ is short for ‘popular.’ It is my hope that those in attendance will, of course, enjoy themselves. I also hope that they will look upon music and the power that it possesses in a new way. ”

The Jazz Band, directed by Shami Beni, will perform selections from Stevie Wonder and famous jazz saxophonist Benny Golson. 

“I’m really looking forward to seeing the kids leave everything out on the stage,” Beni said. “I want them to give 110 percent and seeing that reminds me of why I wanted to be a music teacher in the first place.” 

The Octet, Mercersburg’s original a cappella group founded before the school was co-ed, and the Magalia, Mercersburg’s a cappella group for treble singers, will both take the stage, performing arrangements by singer-songwriter Daniel Caesar and Mercersburg student Coco Zhai ’24. They will also join together to perform as the Magtet. Kristen Morrow and James Brinson direct the a cappella groups.

“Our singers have returned from spring break refreshed and ready to perform with energy and confidence,” Brinson said.

Students will perform the Spring Music Concert Saturday, April 27, in the Burgin Center for the Arts’ Simon Theatre. To see more upcoming events, visit this page of the school’s website.

Pictured above: Coco Zhai ’24 performs during last year’s Spring Pops Concert. Zhai has arranged a piece of music to be performed during the 2024 concert.