Coffee House
Once again, Norwell High School started the year out with a bang with the first Coffeehouse performance of the season. As twelve performers bravely took the stage, the audience was quick to realize that, among other talents, students here are musical artists. Whether the song choices were of the rock and roll genre, played with an acoustic or electric guitar, or a tune everyone could just get up and dance to, the audience was enthralled and captivated with each performance. Not to mention, audience members were able to sip on warm hot cocoa and coffee while listening to the live music! Thanks to the performers, all who helped organize, and those who came to support classmates, students are reminded that it’s okay to be spontaneous and share your beautiful talents with the world.
Among the performances of the October 6th Coffeehouse were…
Julia and Rosemary Hoitt singing “Wrecking Ball” by Miley Cyrus
After Cyrus came out with the single that shocked all of her fans (and the world for that matter), music fanatics didn’t think that anyone could do a better version of the song. I beg to differ. With the complementary voices of the Hoitt sisters blending together into a harmony that seemed almost effortless, it was hard not to fall in love with the slower paced cover of the song. In addition, transitions between quieter and more powerful parts of the song were beautifully and smoothly executed.
Lance Bugaoan singing “Who I’d Be” from the musical Shrek
From the moment Lance stepped up to the microphone with his little sister, the audience knew he was bringing a new style of music and performance to the stage. He is one of the first, if not the first, to perform a Broadway piece, and we loved it! The audience was extremely impressed by Lance’s incredible vocal range and powerful, strong voice. He would fit right in in live Broadway musicals today. And, when audience members thought the performance couldn’t get any better, he brought up his younger sister to sing a part of the song with him!
Bobby Curtin and Michael Kitterick singing “The Kids Aren’t Alright” by The Offspring
What differentiated this performance most from the others was the passion that Curtin and Kitterick conveyed to the audience as they sung and played guitar for the song. Both guys were very comfortable on stage and created a harmonious sound with one playing bass guitar and the other acoustic. Although we hadn’t see them up on stage before, we can’t wait to experience their raspy vocals, rock and roll style and uninhibited enthusiasm once again!
Olivia Moura singing “Closer” by The Chainsmokers and Halsey
Although this song has been played constantly on the radio, Olivia found a way to make it sound refreshing and new. By changing the pacing and pauses in the original version, she confidently put her own twist on it with a fast-paced acoustic guitar cover. As soon as she began her performance, the audience was astonished by the unique quality to her voice and her extensive range, especially. And we know that Olivia does not only specialize in performing in Coffeehouse, but writing amazing articles in the Navigator as well!
Jaclyn Daley singing “Let It Go” by James Bay
This is another song that we have heard on the radio quite often. However, rarely do Norwell High School students do things the traditional way. Like all of Jaclyn’s other Coffeehouse performances, she made this one her own, this time by slowing the song down so much we were able to hear the pure sweetness of her voice. All the while, her quiet guitar strumming set the calming yet simple background music to the singing. We hope she would just come out with an album!
Ani Talanian singing “Hey Ho” by The Lumineers
In Coffeehouse performances, it’s hard to find an easy-to-handle instrument to play besides guitar, but she did it! Ani was the first performer of the evening to accustom the audience to the ukulele sound. Similar to the previous performance, Ani used the ukulele to communicate to the listeners a feeling of peacefulness and ease- something, I think, we all needed on a school night. She demonstrated a powerful upper range as she did a higher version of the original song and placed quiet and loud tones effectively. The audience even snapped along to the sweet and simple song.
Lauren Arapoff singing “Young and Beautiful” by Lana del Rey
The first part of Lauren’s performance I must commend is how she rapidly captivated and held the audience’s attention throughout the period of the song. With her controlled and steady vocals matching up just right with the background piano music she had playing, members of the crowd refused to look away or talk, fearing they might miss a note. Additionally, Lauren possessed a tenderness and fragility in her voice that we hadn’t seen in other performances. This perceived vulnerability made the meaning of the words she sang that much more purposeful to the audience.
Baker Hurley singing “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran
I think many would agree with me when I say that Baker Hurley is a crowd favorite. Of course, he didn’t forget to bring his infectious optimism and enthusiasm to this past performance! Although he was performing a more serious song, he continually engaged the audience with snapping, for example, while he busted out his amazing guitar skills and vocals. The sincerity of his voice made listeners hang on and believe every word he sang. Delivering yet another iconic performance, Hurley resembles a combination of musical artists Passenger and Sheeran.
Andrew Bostrom and Baker Hurley playing “Layla” by Eric Clapton
This upbeat, fast-paced, and energetic guitar performance by Bostrom and Hurley livened up the relaxed, sedentary mood of Coffeehouse performers and listeners. With skillful guitar playing from both guys and a catchy rhythm, it was clear to see everyone was just itching to get up and dance. I know I was! Further, the guys had a good and comfortable rapport with the audience, most likely resulting from their many experiences on stage. They were obviously enjoying themselves and engaged listeners just as much as any singing performer!
Jake Flaherty singing “Flashlight” by the Front Bottoms
Jake, a comical and welcoming performer, he began his performance with a laugh from even the most serious audience members when he asked Bostrom for a guitar pick and gave a brief prelude to his song. But how he begins performances isn’t the only unique thing we love about him! An extremely hard task to accomplish, he accurately mimicked the original artist of the song, maintained a high level of confidence, and demonstrated a lot of variation in his vocals to share the messages of the song with the audience.
Jessie Hayes singing “Cleopatra” by The Lumineers
Soulful. That is the first word we associate with her performance and we didn’t know she had these outstanding singing and guitar playing capabilities until recently. The October 6th Coffeehouse was her second performance, but she performed just as a seasoned professional would. She is a fiercely passionate musician as shown by her deep song choice, personal interest in her song, and her vigorous performance. She has an uninhibited, full, and powerful voice which we surely want to hear again at the next Coffeehouses!
