MANSFIELD — Students from Richland School of Academic Arts will bring what they have learned in the classroom to the stage Thursday, May 5 with Rockappella: a rock ensemble and a cappella choir.
The 16 students are set to perform songs like “Sing” by Pentatonix, “Radioactive” by Imagine Dragons, “Want you Back” by Jackson 5, “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor, “It’s my Life” by Bon Jovi, “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne and “Saturday in the Park” by Chicago.
One of their teachers, Chesley Talisse, is excited to see her students run the entire program through without help from staff.
“The students will perform their musical arrangements for over an hour, seamlessly transitioning with musical interludes. The music is all live — never canned,” Talisse said. “The directors have a chance to just be a part of the audience.”
For some of the ensemble and a cappella students, Friday’s performance will be their last with Richland School of Academic Arts.
“We are very sad to see some of these 8th graders go, but we’re so proud of how far they’ve come in the last few years. We have a lot of pride in our school for the Arts and want to showcase our love for music with others,” Talisse said.
The 8th graders who will be moving on from the program include Abby Mays, Alyssa Mitchell, Eden Stanfield, Jasmine Owens, D’Andria Jones, Elizabeth Harris, Madison Hardin and Rachel Wise.
Talisse said her students are learning not only how to play their instruments excellently, or to sing perfectly — they are learning that music is about sharing a passion and being a part of the community.
The students’ performance will start at 7 p.m. in Richland School of Academic Arts’ Don Brody Hall at 75 N. Walnut St. It is free and open to the public — light refreshments will be served.
