Tri-M Music Honor Society Holds First Indoor Open Mic Since January 2020
By Kyla Hughes
October 28 2021
On Friday, October 22, students shared their musical talents at this year’s first Open Mic Night in the Black Box Theatre.
Performances included original songs to pop classics shifted into minor keys for a twist.
The Groton-Dunstable chapter of the Tri-M Music Honors Society hosted the event to benefit the GD music program. By asking guests to give a donation at the door and selling concessions to the audience as they left, the group raised $478.
This was the first Open Mic held in the Black Box since COVID shut the world down in March 2020, and students expressed excitement to be back.
Junior Sofia Santoro, who performed songs by Sara Bareilles, Bonnie Tyler, and Amy Winehouse, said she could feel the passion from the performers and energy of the audience.
Last school year, Tri-M only held one Open Mic. This concert, which was held in May 2021, had to adhere to strict COVID regulations. The acts performed outside on the front steps of the school, with the audience gathered in the parking lot with folding chairs and blankets.
“We only had one Open Mic last year so I’m really glad that they’re being brought back to life,” said sophomore Sam Bennett said, who sang an original song for the second year in a row at this Open Mic.
Although last year’s modified experience did allow the show to go on, students welcomed going back to a classic Open Mic held indoors, even if everyone had to wear masks.
“It was nice to have a semi-normal Open Mic again,” senior Jay Parikh said. Parikh was the emcee for the night with junior Kyla Hughes and sang for the audience as well. He performed songs by Jacob Banks with student Moriah Scharn and Matt Maltese with student Ben Lyon. Both Scharn and Lyon are seniors at GD.
Junior Kaleb Larsen designed the lighting sequences for the concert.
“Kal’s lights were phenomenal,” Parikh said.
Overall, the music students were pleased with how the event turned out.
“I thought it went really well,” Santoro said. “I loved all of the new talent that GD has shown. . . It was fun and inspiring!”