Uptown Music Collective Takes Journey Through 40 Years of Rock

Students of the Uptown Music Collective, 848 W. Fourth St., are no strangers to rock and roll and as part of the school's 12th major performance and sixth fall show, they'll have a chance to release their inner rock gods.

"The Evolution of Rock: 1951 to 1991" is a theatrical tribute to 40 years of popular rock music. An accompanying light and video show will complete the show, set for 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Community Arts Center, 220 W. Fourth St.

According to David Brumbaugh, director of the nonprofit school, the theme for the show was chosen by the students after weeks of debate.

"The winning concept was called 'the timeline show' and the idea was to do a show that would show a timeline of the development of rock music," he said. "The original idea was to cover rock's birth to the present. This, however, because of the expansion of music into so many sub-genres over the past 20 years, would have been an all-day event. So we decided to cut it off at 1991."

The top-secret set list was difficult to choose for two reasons, he said.

"There are obviously so many great rock and roll songs from every era," Brumbaugh said. "We had to choose the songs that best represented the time periods and even then that's very subjective."

In one meeting with students, the song list was intended to be cut down and instead was expanded. In the end, Brumbaugh took the student's list and a list of Rolling Stones' top 100 songs and just "slashed and burned."

The lack of female performers in many of the eras represented by the show and the overabundance of talented female vocalists that Brumbaugh is proud to say the Uptown Music Collective is currently blessed with, also had an impact on song choice.

"We, at times, favored songs that featured female vocalists over other songs that might be more important historically."

As far as breaking secrecy, Brumbaugh did reveal that the opening song will be "Rocket 88," credited to Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats.

"Interestingly enough, Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats did not really exist. The song was recorded by Ike Turner and the Kings of Rhythm with band saxophonist Jackie Brenston on vocals."

Other classics being performed include "Rock Around the Clock," "Paint It Black" and "Hotel California."

Preparing for the show is no easy feat. Put simply, Brumbaugh said "imagine, if you will, trying to organize 43 performers with an average age of 15 to perform the music of 31 different bands. Their busy schedules all conflicting ..."

Brumbaugh and his team started early by choosing the theme, the song list and organizing a fall show committee, comprised entirely of students, usually seniors and-or experienced Uptown Music Collective performers.

About 55 students of the school's student body of 123 will be involved in the "Evolution of Rock." Beginner students must serve on the tech - "tech-monkey," as they are called - crews, reach the intermediate level instrumentally and perform successfully in a few of the three yearly recitals before they will be considered. Exceptions include students who perform on an instrument that is under-populated, such as the bass, of if they show exceptional promise and a good attitude.

Students who have met the requirements organize all aspects of the performance with the exception of the finances, marketing and advertising.

The casting is done based on seniority and level of ability. The students are formed into groups and rehearsals begin.

About three weeks before the show, students begin full rehearsals with all bands performing for one another, Brumbaugh said. At two weeks out, they begin dress rehearsals during which the performers and the student tech crews, which include stage, sound, light and video, put all aspects of the show together in order.

Teachers at the school work with their students who are performing in the show on their parts. They also help the day of the performance with ticket sales, promotions and merchandise sales and helping out backstage.

Brumbaugh, assisted by Jared Mondell and Will Ort, produces all major performances, which include fall and spring shows, and any other large-scale events like last year's Billtown Blues Festival performance.

According to Brumbaugh, this fall show should prove to be an incredibly entertaining show, much like past shows, which have included "Dark Side of the Moon," "Woodstock," The Who's "Tommy" and The Beatles "Let it Be."

"You will suddenly remember that all of the performers are teenagers or younger and you will be amazed and feel incredibly hopeful about what young people of today are capable of, if given the opportunity, a hard push and a lot of encouragement," Brumbaugh said. "These are your neighbor kids performing music at a very high level, at one of the best venues in the state. How could you possibly miss that?"

One of Brumbaugh's biggest joys has been watching his students grow as musicians and as human beings.

"Seeing them perform to their potential and beyond gives me as much joy as performing myself."

Tickets for "Evolution of Rock: 1951 to 1991" are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. For more information, contact Jared Modell at 329-0888 or e-mail jared@uptownmusic.org.