Ms. Jeannie helps students showcase their talents at Spring Concert

Ms. Jeannie Hooi, music teacher of the Middle High School, is the director and organizer of the annual Spring Concert. It’s a job she has had for more than five years, and her role encompasses tasks from overseeing rehearsals or booking the venue.

“When I took over the Spring Concert,” Ms. Jeannie shared, “my purpose was to give High School the opportunity to showcase their talents … [we have] clubs like the singing club, … we [even] had this guitar club [last time].”

“It’s a platform for all those talented high schoolers to perform,” she said.

Important helpers such as Teacher Assistant Jessie Wu (10B), the Community Service Club, and a concert committee consisting of teachers Mrs. Yanting Yang and Mrs. Rainbow Tsai give aid behind the scenes. “Basically, I help make the programs and posters, sometimes for both the ES and the MHS, organize the performances, watch auditions, coordinate at the event,” says Jessie. The teacher committee and Community Service Club help run the proceedings of the concert, Mrs. Tsai helps make sure performances leave and enter the stage at the right times, and Mrs. Yang oversees music and presentation slides.

Spring Concert requires two months of preparation, and the logistical difficulties in planning the Spring Concert results in its long preparation time. “Making sure everything runs smoothly in the actual dress rehearsal or event [is the most difficult part of planning],” said Jessie. “There are so many elements that need to be controlled and organized and it can be pretty chaotic.” Adding on, Mrs. Hooi also said, “There’s a lot of things Jessie helps me organize, like connecting with students, telling them to come for auditions.”

One added difficulty this year was booking the auditorium. Both SMIC Kindergarten and Spring Concert requested use of the auditorium on April 13th, but eventually, the Kindergarten “graciously let us have the spot,” according to Mrs. Hooi.

Usually, the Spring Concert displays high school talent, but some middle schoolers performed this year as well. “It’s because they joined the Singing Club,” says Ms. Hooi. “Spring Concert is also open to Chinese track and English track, and Elementary School too.”

Many students audition with musical performances, although performances do not need to be musical. Spoken word, magic, and drama performances also took place at this year’s event. I’m happy that so many people are interested in the event and are willing to put themselves and their talents out there!” said Jessie.

It is the efforts of the organizers that allows the student body to have an audience to exhibit our hidden talents. As a result, the annual SMIC Spring Concert was hosted successfully on Friday, April 13. Thus, remember the efforts of those behind the scenes such as Ms. Hooi in maintaining SMIC’s tradition of student-led concerts.

Featured Image – Jessie Wu helps Ms. Jeannie during auditions Courtesy of Austin Liu