John Stark Regional High School senior Jackson Smith took on organizing and producing a music event as his senior Capstone Project. A performing musician for most of his life, Jackson has also been a part of John Stark performing ensembles since he arrived as a freshman. Music and performing wasn’t the learning piece of the project, but he had never organized an event before and putting the whole concert together presented the challenge and learning experience for Jackson.
The event he planned was a four-act performance to include two John Stark student bands, one faculty band, and the band Jackson plays in. Consulting and coordinating with several school groups including the administration, buildings and grounds, the performing arts department, etc. were critical to pulling off the event.
“I didn’t have to just get my band ready for their performance, I had to book the other talent, get the venue, make sure sound and lights were set, and keep all stakeholders up to date on the project and keep them apprised of the schedule throughout the planning process,” said Jackson of the experience. “All the behind the scenes stuff you never think about when you go to a concert or even when performing as an artist at an event took a tremendous amount of time and energy, organization skills, and sometimes taking a deep breath on my part,” commented Smith on the experience.
Jackon’s mentor for Wood Stark was John Stark Social Studies teacher, Ed Marceau, who is also a musician The School’s student Amnesty International Chapter also joined the event selling the handcrafted ceramic bowls they created in support of their chapter.