Arts & Entertainment
While I have more experience writing sports articles, I equally enjoy writing for A&E. Whether I am covering a performance, reviewing a movie or discussing anything related to music, A&E articles are always entertaining and a pleasure to write.
MIHS Bands Perform Winter Concert Alongside Allen Vizzutti
I played saxophone in the MIHS Marching band for my first three years of high school, but I stopped to dedicate more time to journalism senior year. So I was beyond excited to cover one of my former band's performances in my senior year, especially when they were playing with someone as talented as Allen Vizzutti.
Senior saxophone player Cindy Huang plays a solo with Vizzutti.
Photo Courtesy Joe Chen
The Mercer Island High School Band Program hosted their annual winter concert Wednesday, Dec. 8, featuring world-renowned trumpet player Allen Vizzutti.
The night consisted of performances from four MIHS ensembles, each featuring a combination of full-band harmony, student solo performances and Vizzutti’s unique, professional sound.
“I think the performance was incredible,” senior tuba and bass player Gabriel Andres said. “We didn’t have the ideal amount of time to prepare, but after one rehearsal with Allen Vizzutti, we were already up to shape. We’re all really happy with the result.”
The Brass Choir kicked off the concert with two songs, the first being a rendition of Billy Joel’s “Lullaby.” The Wind Ensemble performed next, playing Ryan Nowlin’s “Oh Henry!” along with two other songs, on both of which Vizzutti took the spotlight.
After a brief intermission, the MIHS Jazz Combo #1 took the stage, followed shortly thereafter by the Jazz Ensemble. Since both groups are smaller and play more solo-heavy music, Vizzutti was able to perform alongside individual students in addition to the entire ensembles.
“[Vizzutti is] this huge name, a world class musician, but when you really meet him in person he’s so down to earth,” tenor saxophone soloist Cindy Huang said. “He’s just like everyone else.”
The concert was one of the first major indoor performances since before the COVID-19 pandemic, which added to the anticipation surrounding the event.
“There are a lot of sophomores where this is their first performance since seventh grade,” Andres said. “After they haven’t played a single concert in [eighth or] ninth grade, they are finally able to enjoy what it's like to play with other players.”
The lack of concert-band performances for the past two years has also impacted the social dynamic between band members.
“I think everyone was a lot more supportive of each other compared to before the pandemic, just because we don’t take time that we have with each other for granted anymore,” Huang said.
The next MIHS Band concert will take place Wednesday, Dec. 15, where woodwind and ninth-grade musicians in the program will play alongside saxophone player Evan Smith.
Respect Review: Hudson Shines, Film Underwhelms
When planning for our 2021 November Issue, we had a space on our Arts & Entertainment page. I volunteered to write this review on a movie that I was not sure many of my peers had seen, but that I wanted to share my take on.
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Flip to page 15 at the right to read my article in print:
Aretha Franklin, known for her powerful voice and her passion for civil rights, is one of the century’s greatest musicians. The “Queen of Soul,” as she is commonly labeled, has won countless musical and humanitarian awards in her lifetime.
Unfortunately, while Lisel Tommy’s biographical film Respect adequately documents Franklin’s life and celebrates her achievements, the movie itself provides a rather underwhelming representation of such a brilliant career.
I’ll start with the positives: Jennifer Hudson, who plays Franklin, was phenomenal. Portraying such an acclaimed, glamorous figure is a difficult task, but Hudson’s voice was nothing short of spectacular, and she allowed her audience to experience each of Franklin’s many emotions magnificently, from her childhood trauma to her enjoyment while producing music.
The supporting characters were also cast wonderfully. Forest Whitaker’s performance as Franklin’s father was excellent, as was Marc Maron’s spot-on portrayal of Jerry Wexler, Franklin’s music producer.
However, for a movie depicting the life story of someone with such a successful career, I expected more from a directorial standpoint.
The pacing of the film felt slightly awkward. The movie did not spend enough time focusing on Franklin’s successes and achievements, and instead dwelled on the serious, melancholy segments of her life.
For instance, the movie spent too long addressing Franklin’s early career where she had no hit songs, and then promptly glossed over her creation of the song the movie was named after and the fame that followed it.
To be fair, Franklin dealt with a fair amount of difficult situations throughout her life, both musical and personal. But rather than let these moments dominate the film, I would have preferred if Tommy had balanced them out with more displays of Hudson’s musical prowess as she honors the Queen.
If only to honor one of the most exceptional musicians of all time, I would recommend that others watch Respect. But anyone expecting a masterpiece, like I was, should prepare for disappointment.
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Mercer Island Band Performs at Seahawks Halftime, Saxophonist Reflects
This piece was also one of my earlier articles, but I am still proud of the clever way I formatted it. In the reflection, I detail my experience playing saxophone at the Seattle Seahawks halftime show, a day that I will never forget.
The MIHS drum line marches off the field after the performance.
Photo Courtesy Joe Chen
If you can’t already tell from this article’s byline, my name is Alex Levin, and I am the Sports Columnist for the Islander.
Being one of the newer, less experienced members of the editorial board, my editors (naturally) enjoy teasing, mocking and tantalizing me.
However, of all the topics they poke fun at me for, I am mainly ridiculed for two things: my obsession with writing articles about the Seahawks and my infatuation with the school marching band.
To spite my editors, this article includes both.
The MIHS marching band was lucky enough to perform at the Seahawks halftime show in their Thursday night clash against the Los Angeles Rams. The show was dedicated to former Seahawks owner and Mercer Island resident Paul Allen and consisted of a mix of his favorite songs.
For any normal band member, this was clearly a profoundly exciting experience. But for me, it was absolutely insane.
The Departure - 11:40 A.M
Transporting 300 teenagers anywhere in an organized fashion is not exactly possible, so by the time I got to the band hallway, it was a chaotic mess.
We were given many different sets of instructions at that time, but what I took away from them was to grab my instrument and uniform, get something to eat and quickly hop on a bus.
So with a saxophone in one hand and a sandwich in the other, I left maroon and white behind and started thinking blue and green.
Inside CenturyLink - 12:30 P.M.
A short, somewhat anxious bus-ride later, we arrived at the Seahawks’ doorstep.
After an exceedingly slow-moving security briefing, we dropped off our bags. Just the knowledge that I was in the same building as the Seahawks players was enough to get my heart racing.
Next to our set of tables was a tempting buffet, but it was not time to eat yet. It was time to rehearse.
Pregame Warm-ups - 2:10 P.M.
Being in the stands at CenturyLink field is one thing, but being on the actual field is entirely different.
I had never realized how large the actual stadium was before stepping onto the field; and believe me it is ENORMOUS.
As the band stepped on to the turf for the first time, we gathered by the 50-yard line to warm up and play through our show music.
Of all the people on the field, throwing passes in the middle was none other than all-star quarterback Seattle icon Russell Wilson.
I resisted the urge to run up and ask him for a high five, as I’m sure everyone else did. However, I could see that Wilson, as well as the band, was determined to put on a show.
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Waiting… - 3:15 P.M.
After our rehearsal we were taken back to our area for dinner. We now had about two and a half hours to kill before we had to start getting ready.
This time was mostly spent eating, exploring the building and playing MarioKart.
For me, being the football fanatic I am, I spent the time waiting for the actual football game to start. There were monitors for us to watch once it started even though it was happening live about 200 feet away from us.
I was so hyped up at this point, I was craving adrenaline. Watching the game made me realize how eager I was to be on that field.
More Waiting… - 6:20 P.M.
With seven minutes left in the first quarter, we put on our jackets, warmed up our instruments and headed down into the tunnel. We were inches away from the excitement. I was shaking.
We constantly heard the roar of the crowd, but we were not sure if the reactions were good or bad.
I was too caught up in the moment to realize the significance of what came next: I was about to step on to CenturyLink field in front of thousands of fans.
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The Real Deal - 7:05 P.M.
The first thing that hit me was the blinding bright lights that beamed directly onto the back sideline. Following shortly thereafter was the noise.
And it was LOUD. Like, eardrum-shattering loud.
I absolutely couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Rams players were wandering about the sideline right in front of me.
Two time defensive-player-of-the-year Aaron Donald was having a conversation with menace 255-pound linebacker Clay Matthews.
Greg “the leg” Zuerlein was practicing kicking field goals inches away from where I was standing.
I was pulled out of my trance as the game clock turned to 0:00. The band stepped forward onto the field. It was really happening.
Note by note, step by step, minute by minute, the physical performance flew by in an instant. But the moment after we played our last note, I looked around, listened to the crowd and soaked it all in. That moment lasted forever.
I don’t think I had ever felt as incredible as I felt then and there.
Post Game Report - 7:15 P.M.
After a series of smiles, high fives and “we did it!”s, I finally came back down to earth.
We did not get to stay for the rest of the game, which was a little disappointing, but at that point it didn’t matter. I couldn’t complain.
I had enjoyed every minute of the entire excursion, and for the entire bus ride home I was on top of the world.
And now for the rest of my life, I not only bring with me a love for saxophone and a passion for the ‘hawks, but a lengthy story about the one time I got to cherish both.