CONDUCTOR: Heather Waid
PIANIST: Dean Mora
PERCUSSION: Andrew Enberg BASSIST: Nathan Chung
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR: Heather Waid
PRODUCER: Emily Pérez
SOUND ENGINEER: John Bologni
HOUSE MANAGER: Sandi Rose
Pop Stars
Ali Brimhall
Ali Charlesworth
Alyssa Al-Jamea
Amanda Ramm
Amy Treder
Anita Singha
Aviva Suero
Brianna Loughlin
Caitlin Bishop
Catherine Wesenfeld
Cecily Nelson Alford
Cherie Ginwalla
Clare Margason
CJ Crawley
Cynthia Bosco
Denise Delmatier Theisen
Ellen Caro
Edye Kuyper
Gina Funk-Nelson
J Hamilton
Johnna Phillips
Kimaya Gohkale
Laura Streeper
Leslie Addiego
Lily Tanner
Lisa Epstein
Lori Mason
Laurie McCallum
Martha Ehlenbach
May Chinavanichkit
Melissa Logue
Sally Evey
Sara Sturtevant
Sarah Torres
Scot Siden
Sumita Ram
Teresa Koro
Terese Hollander
Traci Hukill
Vivian Nguyen
Vedrana Novosel
Yolanda Cuesta
Conductor’s Note
Welcome to Boy Band Bonanza!
As someone who grew up at the height of the 90’s era boy bands, I’m so excited to share this concert with all of you. When picking music for this concert, we had to define our parameters for what a boy band entailed, and settled on male vocal groups that also danced. You’ll find that we’ve featured music from some of the most loved groups throughout pop history that will hopefully have you dancing in your seats. This group of singers has been so enthusiastic and a joy to work with, and we’ve had a lot of fun putting this concert together for you.
If singing pop music in a low-key and supportive environment sounds like something you’d enjoy doing, I hope you’ll consider joining us for our next term, “Movie Night,” which starts in January 2023. Enjoy the show!
Heather Waid
Empire Pop Choir Conductor
PROGRAM NOTES
“The Temptations Medley” (Songs from Ain’t Too Proud)
“Ain’t Too Proud to Beg”
Written by: Edward Holland Jr. and Normal Whitfield
“My Girl”
Written by: Smokey Robinson and Ronald White
“Papa was a Rollin’ Stone”
Written by: Normal Whitfield and Barrett Strong
“Just my Imagination (Running Away with Me)”
Written by: Normal Whitfield and Barrett Strong
“Get Ready”
Written by: Smokey Robinson
Arranged by: Mark Brymer
Soloists: Scot Siden and Brianna Loughlin
The Temptations are an American vocal group from Detroit, Michigan who released a series of successful singles and albums with Motown Records during the 1960s and 1970s. The group's work was significant in the evolution of R&B and soul music. The Temptations are known for their trademark choreography, distinct harmonies, and dress style. Having sold tens of millions of albums, the Temptations are among the most successful groups in popular music.
Over the course of their career, the Temptations released four Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles and fourteen R&B number-one singles. They were the first Motown recording act to win a Grammy Award and in 2013 received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. As of 2022, the Temptations continue to perform with founder Otis Williams in the lineup. In 2018, the story of the Temptations served as inspiration for the jukebox musical Ain't Too Proud, which opened on Broadway in March 2019. We’re excited to kick off our concert with our medley of this singular group’s work.
“The Jackson 5” (From Motown: The Musical)
“The Love you Save” Written by Berry Gordy, Alphonzo Mizell, Freddie Perren and Deke Richards
“I Want you Back” Written by Freddie Perren, Alphonzo Mizell, Berry Gordy and Deke Richards
“ABC” Written by Alphonzo Mizell, Frederick Perren, Deke Richards and Berry Gordy
Arranged by: Mark Brymer
Soloists: Vedrana Novosel and Amanda Ramm
The Jackson 5 are an American pop band composed of members of the Jackson family. The group was founded in 1964 in Gary, Indiana. In 1968 they joined the legendary Motown Records, where they were the first group to debut with four consecutive number one hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. According to some sources, The Jackson 5 have sold more than 100 million records worldwide. In 1980, the brothers were honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as the Jacksons. They were inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. Two of the band's recordings ("ABC" and "I Want You Back") are among the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll and, alongside "I'll Be There", were also inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. The imprint and legacy of Motown artists is foundational to modern boy bands. Our Jackson 5 medley is from the 2013 jukebox show “Motown; the Musical”.
“I Want it That Way”
Written by: Andreas Carlsson, Max Martin
Arranged by: Stephen DeCesare
"I Want It That Way" was written by Andreas Carlsson and super-producer Max Martin. The acoustic-guitar arpeggio riff, which forms the song's intro and reiterates throughout the verses, was written at the very end of the recording sessions and was, according to Carlsson, inspired by "Nothing Else Matters" by Metallica. This millennial cusp hit is famous for its layered harmonies, bombastic key changes and confusing lyrics which prize sounds over meaning.
Music Critic Andrew Unterberger of PopDust questioned the song's lyrics, writing that "the song doesn't make a whole lot of sense" and noting "the odd phrasing of the title and certain other key lyrics". Unterberger also noted that "The phrase 'I want it that way' is similarly devoid of inherent meaning, but it’s used recurringly as a kind of conclusive phrase, always calling back to those first two lines, as the song gets gradually more despairing in nature." Unterberger also found out that "The chorus would appear to be in direct opposition to the rest of the song."
However, Unterberger ultimately concluded “No, it doesn’t make sense, but it’s still stirring, beautiful in its own weird way, and undeniably unforgettable. And frankly, we wouldn’t want it any other way."
We wholeheartedly agree!
“Butter”
Written by: Alexander Bilowitz, Namjun Kim, Robert Grimaldi, Jenna Andrews, Sebastian Garcia, Ron Perry and Stephen Kirk
Arranged by: Audrey Snyder
Soloist: Amanda Ramm
No boy band tribute would be complete without a foray into its current incarnation: K-Pop! K-Pop's sound is characterized by catchy melodies and intense synchronized choreography accompanied with equally intense visuals. We chose to go to the very top with supergroup BTS, one of current music’s biggest acts.
“Butter” was released as a digital single on May 21, 2021, through Big Hit Music and Sony Music Entertainment, as the band's second English-language single. A disco-pop, dance-pop, and EDM track, the song received positive reviews from music critics, with praise towards its catchiness.
At a press conference held on the day of the song's release, BTS Member RM revealed that they chose it out of "many, many songs" that had been sent to them for consideration. The song was released during the global coronavirus pandemic and Esquire's Dave Holmes called the song "irresistible", saying that it "percolates with the joy we've deferred since last March" It was named Billboard's number one Song of the Summer.
“All or Nothing”
Written by: Wayne Hector and Steve Mac
Arranged by: Mark Brymer
"All or Nothing" is a song recorded by American boy band O-Town. The pop ballad was written by Wayne Hector and Steve Mac, and produced by Mac. It was released on March 20, 2001. “All or Nothing” is a classic ballad and has become the defining hit of the band.
Band member Penick reflected in Billboard Magazine on the staying power of the ballad; “That song probably means more to us now than when it was No. 1, just because of the way it makes us feel and makes the fans feel when we perform it live. As soon as it starts, everyone screams. At the end, when everyone’s belting the chorus out, it’s the best moment of the show.”
“Jonas Brothers Medley”
"Remember This" Written by Nick Jonas, Kevin Jonas, Ryan Tedder, Casey Smith, Jordan Johnson, Oliver Peterhof, Stefan Johnson and Michael Pollack.
Arranged by Roger Emerson
"Sucker" Written by Nick Jonas, Joseph Jonas, iles Ale, Ryan Tedder, Louis Bell, Adam Feeney and Kevin Jonas.
Arranged by Mark Brymer.
"What a Man Gotta Do" Written by Nick Jonas, Joseph Jonas, Kevin Jonas, Ryan Tedder, Jessica Agombar and Davis Stewart. Arranged by Mark Brymer.
Adapted by: Heather Waid
Soloist: Ellen Caro and Amy Treder
The Jonas Brothers are an American pop rock band consisting of Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas. Formed in 2005, they gained popularity from their appearances on the Disney Channel television network. They starred in the 2008 Disney Channel Original Movie Camp Rock and its 2010 sequel, Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam. The band has released five albums: It's About Time (2006), Jonas Brothers (2007), A Little Bit Longer (2008), Lines, Vines and Trying Times (2009), and Happiness Begins (2019). They have sold more than 17 million albums worldwide. Six years following their split, the group reunited with the release of "Sucker" on March 1, 2019. The song became the 34th song in history to debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, and became the Jonas Brothers' first number one single on the chart.
“Jersey Boys Medley”
“December 1963(Oh what a night)”
Written by Robert Gaudio and Judy Parker
“Working my Way Back to You”
Written by: Denny Randell and Sandy Linzer
“Stay”
Written by: Maurice Williams
“Let’s Hang On”
Written by Bob Crewe, Denny Randell and Sandy Linzer
“Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You”
Written by Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio
“Who Loves You”
Written by Robert Gaudio and Judy Parker
Arranged by: Ed Lojeski
Soloist: Denise Delmatier Theisen and Scot Siden
Franki Valli and the Four Seasons formed in 1960 in Newark, New Jersey. The band's original line-up was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990,and joined the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999.They are one of the best-selling musical groups of all time, having sold an estimated 100 million records worldwide.
Jersey Boys, a musical based on the lives of the Four Seasons opened on November 6, 2005 to positive reviews. It subsequently won multiple Tony Awards after its move to Broadway. The musical portrays the history of the Four Seasons in four parts, with each part narrated by a different member of the band and reflecting that band member's perspective on the band's history. Our Medley was adapted from the Jersey Boys Musical and gives an overview of the Four Seasons impressive discography.
“One Direction Medley”
“What Makes You Beautiful” Written by Savan Kotecha, Rami Yacoub and Carl Falk
“Live While We’re Young” Written by: Rami Yacoub, Savan Kotecha and Carl Falk
“Kiss You” Written by: Shellback, Savan Kotecha, Kristian Lundin, Rami Yacoub, Carl Falk, Kristoffer Fogelmark, and Albin Nedler
Arranged by: Mac Huff
Soloist: Ellen Caro
One Direction is an English-Irish pop boy band formed in London, England in 2010. The group is composed of Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik until his departure from the group in March 2015. The group signed with Simon Cowell's record label after forming and finishing third in the seventh series of the British televised singing competition The X Factor in 2010.
Propelled to global success by social media. One Direction's five albums, Up All Night (2011), Take Me Home (2012), Midnight Memories (2013), Four (2014), and Made in the A.M. (2015), topped charts in several countries, and generated hit singles including "What Makes You Beautiful" After the release of Four, One Direction became the first band in the US Billboard 200 history to have their first four albums debut at number one. One Direction members were often subject to fan hysteria, following in the footsteps of their teen idol predecessors. The band went on indefinite hiatus in January 2016, allowing all members to pursue other projects.
“Bye Bye Bye”
Written by: Andreas Carlsson, Jake Schulze, Kristian Lundin
Arranged by: Stephen DeCesare
Bye Bye Bye opens with a string crescendo that climbs before Justin Timberlake's nasal falsetto does a melismatic run on the the phrase, "Hey, hey", which leads to the five-part harmony of the song's title. The song’s instrumentation consists of "buzzy electronics" adding texture to the band's vocals in contrast to the doo-wop of the Backstreet Boys, as well as hard drums, with a snare and kick drum. It was released on January 17, 2000, as the lead single from their third studio album No Strings Attached. The song and video (featuring the band members as puppets freed from their strings) was reported to be a not-so-subtle reference to the group's separation from their manager Lou Pearlman and their record label RCA Records.
"Bye Bye Bye" was a commercial success, peaking at number 4 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and within the top 10 in almost every country in which it charted. The song received a Grammy nomination in 2001 for Record of the Year. Bye Bye Bye may not be subtle, but it’s a banger and we’re excited to close out our concert with this classic Boy Band hit.
COME SING WITH US NEXT TERM!
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