“The concert is a great way to use music as a way to raise money for a great cause,” STAND President Anais Flores said.

Many students were excited about the concert and how it aids those in need.

“I come every year just to support my fellow classmates and help be a part of a great thing like STAND,” junior Omar Khatib said.

All of the proceeds from the concert will be given to the Genocide Intervention Network’s Civilian Protection Program. The program funds humanitarian aid and relief operations to provide food, shelter, medical care and other important services to civilians recovering from genocide.

Some of the bands included Townhouse, which performed “If Your Dad Doesn’t Have a Beard, You’ve Got Two Mums,” “Rockoria” and “Mr. Blue Sky.” This was followed by the band Chris, Godwin, & Jasmine, which sang a cover of Green Day’s “21 Guns” and Black Veil Bride’s “Mortician’s Daughter.” After these two bands, the Atomic Dynasty Steppers performed their step routine.

Junior Paula Naanou then sang Adele’s “Make Me Feel My Love,” Foster the People’s “Pumped Up Kicks” and Grace Potter and the Nocturnals’s “Oh La La.” Idriss and Chris, who are alumni of AHS, then performed an acoustic cover of Lil Wayne’s “How To Love.” These covers were followed by the The Wayfarers performance of “Billionaire.”

Social Studies teacher Katie Gould performed an acoustic versions of The Dixie Chicks’s “Travelin’ Solider,” and the Beatles’s “I Want To Hold Your Hand.” Zack Hussain then performed two songs on the piano. Gwen Levey, who has been a part of the STAND Benefit concert for the past three years, sang two of her own original songs, “Missing Piece” and “Shades Of You.” She then did a cover of “Skyscraper,” originally sung by Demi Lovato.

The band Oh Satellite concluded the show. Its members performed three of their own original songs: “Today I Go Insane,” “Recycled Hope” and “Who Would Be Scared of a Jeffery/The Engineer.” They also performed an acoustic version of “Sugar, We’re Going Down” by Fall Out Boy.

STAND organization tries to raise awareness and money for the different genocides that are happening in the world today. All the money you donate though your $7 ticket goes to the STAND organization and ends up in the hands of communities in need.

“It’s supporting such a great cause and there are many people that are in need of help and with their [student] support, we can make an impact on their lives,” STAND president Anais Flores said.

Last year, the concert raised about $800, which was all donated to the Genocide Intervention Network. This organization works closely with world leaders and anti-genocide activists in the fight against genocide worldwide by creating a permanent anti-genocide constituency. Countries such as Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo are the focus areas in reducing mass genocide.

“STAND is a wonderful, wonderful group and I would do anything to help out,” psychology teacher Katie Gould said. She will be singing “Travelin’ Solider” by Bruce Robison and “I Want to Hold Your Hand” by the Beatles. There will be ten performances on Jan. 20 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium, all of which are students and teachers of AHS.

“There are moments when helping with STAND feels like a lot of work on top of teaching, but I’m reminded that organizations like STAND highlight that every human being has dignity and I hope that students will come to support the concert,” sponsor Amy Graham said.

It’s still not to late to help contribute your efforts. STAND welcomes new students to help make posters, sell tickets and attend their meeting Jan. 18 after school in room 265. “We welcome newcomers anytime,” Graham said. STAND also hopes to educate teenagers on what’s happening around the world because many of them do not know. With last year’s achievements, STAND officers hope to bring the same entertaining show.

“All the performances were amazing, some singers even wrote their own songs that relate to your life,” treasurer Visoda Heng said, “you’re just in a room full of people who care to help others, and it’s pretty astonishing to see the amount of students that would go to the concert rather than hang out with their friends on a Friday night.”

Paula Naanou: “I’m really looking forward to performing at the benefit concert and I hope I can make people smile during my performance. I plan to perform ‘Make You Feel My Love’ by Adele, the piano version of ‘Pumped Up Kicks’ by Foster the People, and ‘Oh La La’ by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals.”

Chris and Jasmine: “This is our first year performing in the benefit concert and it really feels like a debut for us because it’s a big step forward to my whole dream of becoming a singer and Chris’ of becoming a musician. Chris and I clash sometimes when it comes to what songs we’ll choose to perform and working by myself would be great, but it’s too much pressure being alone, so having someone as comforting and patient as Chris balances the pressure and calms me down. We’re really looking forward to seeing Ms. Gould perform the most, because we saw a video clip of her singing freshman year and it was really cool.” senior Jasmine Lee said.

Katherine Gould: “Last year was my first year that I was asked to perform in the benefit concert and I couldn’t be more honored to be asked to perform again this year. I am thrilled to be part of such a wonderful production that is raising money and awareness for such an important cause. I am so excited to listen to my students and support them that night as well, because we have so many talented young men and women at this school who are doing such a great thing to support social justice in this world. I plan on performing ‘Travelin’ Soldier’ by the Dixie Chicks and ‘I Wanna Hold Your Hand’ by The Beatles. I want to dedicate the song to anyone who is in love–gay, straight, or bisexual–because all love is equal.”

It’s hard to believe it’s only been a matter of a few years since I first personally caught onto Lee. Now with the release of her album’s EP finally out for all to hear, it’s clear why Lee has the full package to make it in the music industry. Besides from the amount of soulfulness and clarity Lee’s voice rings out every time she so beautifully hits a wide range of notes, the music on Lee’s new record holds it’s own as both catchy and meaningful. Atlantic Records had sent the young talent to London to write some of the album with Grammy-winning producer, Martin Terefe. He has been known for producing such artists as Train and Jason Mraz.

One of the most exciting and eager parts to Lee’s new album is her pairing up with Jason Reeves, a well-renowned singer/songwriter most notably known for writing with artists such as Colbie Caillat and Kara DioGuardi. Their songs “All I’m Looking For” and “Perfectly” on Lee’s EP create a perfect combination of beauty, clarity and meaningful songwriting that keeps me going back to the replay button time and time again once the songs have finished.

I recently had the pleasure of hearing Lee live for the first time at Jammin’ Java, where her voice so captivated me as much as the beautiful lyrics of her songs did. Lee hardly needed to even move from her one part of the stage to keep this captivation, as it’s just her mature stage presence, her voice, a microphone and her guitarist accompanying her by her side.

It was only near the end of her set that Lee played one of her most recognizable songs, “18 and Alive,” which just happens to be the name of her new album. I found myself singing along in my head to the words, even before the song had begun and Lee confessed, “This is my favorite song in the whole world.”

Mine too, Chelsea.

Trumpet players rehearse their songs during a typical band practice. They will go on to compete in the state festival.

Success has been an avid part of the band this year, and only more great things are expected to come.

Some of the events that are coming up include All-District Band in the beginning of February, and the Concert Band Performance Assessment in the second week of March. The Symphonic Band was chosen as one of the three clinic bands to participate in the National Band Association Symposium and the National Symphonic Band Camp at Lake Braddock Secondary School on Feb. 17th and 18th.

“We always strive for high standards here with the bands,” Band Director Andrew Loft said. “It’s always exciting, but involves many challenges.”

The Marching Band season has recently wrapped up, and the Winter Pops Concert took place on Dec. 6th in the cafeteria. The programs were printed on paper bags and filled with popcorn. The bands played an array of holiday music, including performances by the Percussion Ensemble, the Concert Band and the Symphonic Band.

“I think we were amazing, and the popcorn in the program bag was cute,” sophomore Marissa Reynolds said.

“It was fun,” freshman Robyn Strong said. “I thought the idea of the event was funny.”

The band has won many honors, such as being a 14-time Virginia Honor Band. This year, the Marching band has also won first place in Outstanding Music, General Effect, Marching, Drum Major, and others. In the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association (VBODA) State Marching Assessment, the Marching band has been awarded a rating of Superior, the highest possible rating. The VBODA is an organization that helps to promote music education opportunities.

“Our goals are always to make great music and learn from each other,” Loft said. “Awards are really a nice by-product of this process.”

The band program includes many different sections, such as the Marching Atoms, the Percussion Ensemble, the Jazz Ensemble, the Gold and Red bands and the Symphonic Band. Also included is Color Guard, which performs with the Marching Atoms and Indoor Winter Guard.

This year, the band is planning a spring trip to Atlanta, Georgia, where they will be in the Southern Star Music Festival. It is a musical competition for school bands and choirs, held yearly in Georgia. On the trip, the students will visit The Georgia Aquarium, The World of Coca Cola, and Six Flags Over Georgia.

“The band event I am most looking forward to is spring trip,” Strong said. “It’s going to be great.”

The band has had much success so far this year, and is looking forward to accomplishing more in the future.

“Probably what makes us so successful is Mr. Loft, the band director, because he’s really good and he knows what he’s doing,” sophomore James Barker said. “And we have really good musicians.”

“Our students have wonderful talent and a solid work ethic,” Loft said. “We strive to maintain high standards in all aspects of instrumental performance. Members of the bands at Annandale are disciplined and dedicated. This combined with our great parent and administrative support creates a true atmosphere of success.”

Juniors Betsy Cohan, Debbie Aderton and Andrew Riddle perform a scene from "Arsenic and Old Lace."

The Cappies are a type of award program for which teachers and students from teams attend one show from every school in the county to critique and praise the show that the school has selected to be judged. Before, during and after the show, teacher-mentors lead critic discussions that occur among students. Critics go home and write 300-400 word reviews for a deadline and submit their critiques to the Cappies’ website. During the spring, critics vote on the best shows, and come summertime, the top picks from the Cappies’ selections are invited to perform segments of their shows and receive their awards at the Kennedy Center. On Dec. 3, more than 80 Cappies came to view AHS’ production of “Arsenic and Old Lace”. Below is the first review released through the Cappies program.

“Two psychotic, grey-haired ladies, fatal window seats, lethal elderberry wine, grotesque plastic surgery, and unexpected battle cries up the staircase all come together in Annandale High School’s production of “Arsenic and Old Lace.” Joseph Kesselring’s play “Arsenic and Old Lace,” made up of dark, farcical comedy and whimsical characters was written in 1939, premiered in 1941 and ran on Broadway for three years. The play opens, set in the quaint, Brooklyn home of the elderly, seemingly innocent Brewster sisters.

The story revolves around theater critic Mortimer Brewster as he pieces together his family’s homicidal, eccentric and bizarre tendencies. Annandale High School carried out their rendition of this complex, quirky play with little difficulty. The cast and crew worked together in a poised and effective way throughout the play, despite a few hiccoughs in technicalities. Abby Brewster (Laura Hackfeld), Martha Brewster (Gwen Levey) and Mortimer Brewster (Max Talley) played the perfect, peculiar family. With their high-pitched voices, dazed mannerisms and dreamily musical giggles, Laura Hackfeld and Gwen Levey drew their victimized gentlemen into their poisonous, deadly trap. They properly presented the elderly Brewster sisters as not-all-there, lovable ladies.

Gwen’s gliding gait, coupled with Laura’s bobbing bounce provoked laughter from the audience at each movement. Max Talley’s portrayal of the conflicted nephew, with his facial and physical reactions to his aunt’s mentally corrupt doings were spot on and well timed. The complexities of each character did not stump these actors and actresses in their strides for a notable performance. Doctor Einstein (Steve Aderton), the submissive, plastic surgeon sidekick to the ominous criminal Jonathan Brewster (Cody Stewart), took the stage with his sinister motives and physical comedy. On each entrance, Steve Aderton magnified the eerie aura of his creepy character while somehow keeping with the dark comic genre. Teddy Brewster (Andy Riddle), the self-proclaimed “Theodore Roosevelt” and brother to Mortimer and Jonathan Brewster, provided constant, light-hearted comedy with his charges up the staircase and intermittent bugle-blowing. Each character had their own, unique accent and way of speaking adding variety and interest to the piece, although making it hard to understand lines at times.

Overall, the performances by these characters gave the show a light-heartedness compared to the heavy, darkness of its comedy. As the curtain parted, the audience let out a gasp of awe to the grand, brilliantly colored Victorian era Brewster household. The two flights of stairs, distinctly patterned wallpapers, numerous working doors and decked-out china cabinet created the appropriate living space for the unusual Brewster sisters. Throughout the show, the lighting dimmed in certain parts of the house to shift focus from one area to another. This technique was quite effective in adjusting the audience’s focus, but sometimes detracted from the action on stage. Telephone and doorbell sounds played accurately on cue, but at times stopped abruptly before the actor could respond. Annandale’s depiction of Kesselring’s complicated and erratic “Arsenic and Old Lace” was an accurate and charming rendering to enjoy.”

By Danika Saxon of Teens and Theatre Homeschool

AHS’s production of the play was also nominated for 16 Cappies Critics Choice Awards. To see the entire list, visit the full story.

Juniors Laura Hackfeld (left) and Gwen Levey (right) depict the crazed aunts in "Arsenic and Old Lace." Both Hackfeld and Levey have the potential to be nominated as "The Aunts" for Best Ensemble in a Play by the Cappies in the spring.

It seems that “Arsenic and Old Lace” earned more than a few good laughs when the Cappies came to view the show on Dec. 3. Already, the play has earned 16 critics choice nominations from the Cappies that viewed the show, including the coveted category of “Best Play.” These critics choice nominations will go on the ballot to be voted on in May for the actual awards ceremony held annually at the Kennedy Center in early June. The top five selected from each category will go onto the awards show.

-Sound, Khalid Mohammad, Annandale High School, Arsenic & Old Lace

-Lighting, Kelly Dwyer, Jaime Gallo, Annandale High School, Arsenic & Old Lace

-Sets, Sam Dores, Jaime Gallo, Jin Lin, Chuan Shen, Annandale High School, Arsenic & Old Lace

-Costumes, Debbie Aderton, Jessica Fredericksen, Paulina Stehr, Annandale High School, Arsenic & Old Lace

-Make-up, Betsy Cohan-Lawson, Annandale High School, Arsenic & Old Lace

-Stage Crew, Jin Lin, Elizabeth Staley, Annandale High School, Arsenic & Old Lace

-Ensemble in a Play, The Aunts, Annandale High School, Arsenic & Old Lace

-Featured Actress, Bonne Clark, Annandale High School, Arsenic & Old Lace

-Featured Actor, Andy Riddle, Annandale High School, Arsenic & Old Lace

-Comic Actress in a Play, Laura Hackfeld, Annandale High School, Arsenic & Old Lace

-Comic Actor in a Play, Steve Aderton, Annandale High School, Arsenic & Old Lace

-Supporting Actress in a Play, Gwen Levey, Annandale High School, Arsenic & Old Lace

-Supporting Actor in a Play, Steve Aderton, Annandale High School, Arsenic & Old Lace

-Lead Actress in a Play, Laura Hackfeld, Annandale High School, Arsenic & Old Lace

-Lead Actor in a Play, Max Talley, Annandale High School, Arsenic & Old Lace

-Play, Arsenic & Old Lace, Annandale High School, Arsenic & Old Lace

List courtesy of http://www.cappies.com/shared/choices-listcat.php?year=2012&region=NCA&all=1

A little “Arsenic and Old Lace”, anyone? from A-Blast TV on Vimeo.

Made by: Gwen Levey