Being on TV may seem like a far away dream; an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that only a select few could enjoy. However, Shanghai American School’s very own Barbershop Girls and Jazz Band, headed by Mary Siew and Karolina Pek, were filmed on May 18, 2010—an event that marks the success of the SASPX Music Department on both a national and international scale.

The filming took place in the Motion Magic studio, and the show will be aired on a Chinese channel, ICC, which currently documents a program named Culture Matters. This show features many expats of China, including the head of the Barcelona House, a dancer in the Spanish Pavilion, and even a teacher from SAS Pudong. In this show, the two groups represented both America and SASPX. Barbershop Girls sang three pieces; opening up the show was “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” a quiet, melodic piece from the famous Wizard of Oz, while “Charleston” was a sassy piece choreographed by junior Hae Ju Kang. Concluding the entire show was “Goodnight Sweetheart,” a traditional Barbershop piece. Jazz Band performed the vivaciously dynamic “Soul Man,” featuring solos from Marno van der Maas and Steven Pak, as well as truly amazing vocalists-dancers Xiang Yi Lau and Won Hyun Chang. The entire night, with the professional makeup and flashing lights, was really quite exciting.

In addition to the music performances, there were also interviews of students and teachers. It was insightful—and, of course, entertaining—to hear Ms. Siew and Ms. Pek talk about their musical backgrounds and experiences in the SAS Music Department. Even numerous students, such as Elsie Ling, Megan Tan, Claire Johnson and Marno van der Maas were interviewed about their nationality, future plans, and thoughts on the Expo.

Besides the cheek muscles stiff from smiling and feet sore from high heels, the musicians take home a remarkable experience that, hopefully, have encouraged their dedication to music and will inspire other students to further develop their musical talents.

By Yvonne HSIAO, Tri-M Historian, G10