By John Faucher
When it comes to memorable summer moments, there’s one group of New London students that has added a special place to their repertoire of memories.
Representatives from New London High School Choir performed in concert with singer Barry Manilow at the Resch Center in Green Bay on Monday, July 28.
They were on stage with 6,000 fans screaming and singing led by Barry Manilow.
The 81-year-old is considered the most successful adult contemporary star of all time. He was in Wisconsin last week for ‘The Last Concerts’ tour.
This opportunity came about when the choir’s vocal coach, Lu Ann Rupnow, received a call from Manilow’s music director, Ron Walters.
Manilow had decided adding a choir would bring extra energy and excitement to the show’s finale, and Walters, who has worked with Rupnow in the past, hoped she could find choirs for the Wisconsin shows.
Rupnow ended the call, took a deep breath and immediately contacted New London High School choir director, Kevin Spindler.
“I was a little concerned at first because it is summer,” said Rupnow. “You know, kids are on vacation with their families, working summer jobs and not always easy to contact when you’re not seeing them every day.”
They only had a little over a week lead time.
Luckily, she said, many of the kids had been in recent contact with the school and Spindler through a summer show choir program.
They quickly assembled a group of current and former choir members and started rehearsing.
Rupnow has had a connection with the Manilow organization for many years.
His choreographer and back-up singer, Kye Brackett, served as the choreographer for New London’s Middle School Show Choir from 1994-2011 when Rupnow directed that group.
During that time, Brackett performed many one-man shows on the New London High School stage.
In 2001, Brackett brought Walters and others from the Manilow band to accompany him in one of those performances.
The announcement of New London’s participation in Manilow’s Last Concerts Tour brought back fond memories for many New London alumni.
Rupnow’s show choir had attended a 2004 Manilow concert in Milwaukee. Brackett arranged for that group to meet Barry after the show.
“Barry Manilow loves school music programs, so he took time to listen and talk with the young teenagers about their performing experiences and dreams,” said Rupnow.
Most of those kids didn’t know much about Manilow at the time, but they became lifelong fans after that experience,” she said.
One of those students, Jeremiah Buegge, now 32 years-old and emcee for the high school show choir competition,
According to Rupnow, the week was a whirlwind of activity for the students who performed last Monday night.
They had four days of choir rehearsals before traveling to the Resch Center.
Upon arrival, they had a short rehearsal on stage to learn choreography from Kye Brackett.
After the rehearsal, Brackett reminded the students of general performance techniques.
He told them to just relax.
“This concert should be a joyful experience for everyone involved. You must use your face to convey that joy. Professionals do that at all times, even if they don’t feel well,” said Brackett. “Be professional, work hard and have a great performance.”
High School Choir Director Kevin Spindler was thrilled to have his students involved in a professional production.
“We try hard to achieve our school’s mission of getting students career and college ready. Participating in a professional performance like this allowed students to apply theoretical knowledge and skills in a real life setting. Performing with an entertainment legend like Barry Manilow was a once in a lifetime experience that the students will grow from, remember and recall forever,” said Spindler.
“The idea of feeling the excitement of thousands and thousands of people all on their feet screaming, singing along – I mean that had to be just amazing for those kids,” said Rupnow.
The choir sang “Let Freedom Ring” and “It’s a Miracle” with Manilow, his 10-piece band and three vocalists during the concert’s finale.
“Barry Manilow came out wearing a Green Bay Packer Jersey in his final number. The crowd just went wild,” said Rupnow.
The jersey number was 10.
“And so when he finished the song and turned to walk off, then you see ‘Love’ on the back of the shirt. And the crowd just went insane. It was perfect,” said Rupnow.
“Because you know, everything about what he does is about love,” she added.
After the show, Music director Ron Walters thanked the group and commented on how the crowd seemed to love the choir’s youthful energy and fresh smiles on stage with Manilow.
For Rupnow, that meant the most to her.
She helped coordinate members of Kids from Wisconsin to perform with Manilow at his Milwaukee concert on Aug. 3.
The Last Concerts tour continues mid-August with stops in Texas, Oklahoma and Missouri. He returns to his Las Vegas residency at the West Gate Resort and Casino in September, and plans on a five day run at Radio City Music Hall in New York City in October.
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