Tristan Paulette '27 < Back Seussical to the stage! Tristan Paulette '27 Jan 17, 2025 AS Musical Theatre is a new class this school year created and taught by theatre director Kelly Dowling. Dowling enumerated the goals of the class. “The goal is to produce a whole show, but they get to choose that show… they’re doing Seussical and they’ll spend basically the rest of the class putting that together with some other assignments kind of sprinkled in.” Dowling also spoke to some of the logistical purposes of the class: “It really came out of our hope as an Arts Department that we could create opportunities for people in different times and spaces to take part in acting and productions. Obviously our PGA time is really difficult and people have to make hard choices. So we were hoping that by having this class, that if there’s someone who wants to do a musical but never has the time in the PGA, they would be able to do that.” The class this year has started small, with a eight-person crew taking part in the Seussical performance. Fynn Poulsen ’26, one of the students in the class, said, “We’re working on blocking the show and figuring out who’s which character in what scene and how we’re gonna do the show with eight people.” Even with that struggle, Poulsen noted the benefits of a smaller group: “I like that it’s a small class, so we’re a very tight-knit [group].” William Tutt ’25, who will play Cat in the Hat during Seussical, echoed this sentiment: “It’s a great sense of community for theater because in the PGA, you meet new people and then kind of switch out. But in this, it’s like you really get to know the people.” AS Musical Theatre has also given students the opportunity to learn the finer details of stage work. Janie Miller ’26, who will play Maizy in Seussical, stated, “We’re getting an opportunity to learn a whole bunch of the technical things that we don’t typically think about… We’re creating resumés and headshots and we’re finding classical monologues and contemporary monologues. We’re finding music for things we’re working on and We’ve also done a little bit of research on some historical aspects of musical theater through the different eras.” Tutt affirmed the importance of stage work knowledge, saying, “There’s a lot of work that goes into a play and we don’t have time for after school, like Stony Batter, so we have to really use our class time to specifically focus on our work. We have been looking at Shakespeare, an ASL thing, [and] we are doing some weird acting exercises, which is pretty fun.” Dowling also expanded on her plans for the future of advanced courses in the Arts Department. “If it goes through, there’ll be a new class called AS Classical Performance, which will be a term class. That would run in opposite years so there is that [physical] space.” Dowling elaborated further on the struggles of advanced acting courses at Mercersburg Academy. “One of our issues with higher level classes in theater is so many of our theatre students are also our singers and dancers, and it’s really hard to get the numbers to run those upper level classes.” Miller stated what she’s looking forward to in the play: “I’ve never really done a traveling production before so I think that’s gonna be really interesting… You have to be so smart with how you pack the vans and do all of that and just go out.” Tutt expressed similar hopes for the performance, saying, “I hope it will go well. I hope that we can inspire one kid to try and go for theatre.” Previous Next

Audrey Hua ‘26 < Back “The glorious beauty of Melissa Small” Audrey Hua ‘26 Jan 19, 2024 Still-life oil painter Melissa Small’s art is currently displayed in Mercersburg Academy’s Burgin Center for the Arts. An Awakening is showing in the Cofrin Gallery while the other collection, Layers of Vanity, occupies the corner gallery. Small's passion for art began in high school where a painting class opened a door to her future career. “I remember telling my painting teacher, Mrs. DeMartin, that I wanted to be an art teacher like her,” Small said. “She told me, 'No, go all the way,' implying that I should just be an artist. I feel lucky to be able to do both.” Aside from painting, Small teaches high school students full-time. “Creating art allows me to share things visually that cannot be translated into words,” Small said. Inspired by the gratification that painting brings her, and the joy she brings to collectors, Small shares this with her three daughters, teaching them what it means to be passionate about something. “They see me painting and understand that this is work for me, but work that I truly love,” said Small. The opportunity to exhibit at Mercersburg Academy came through a social media post that caught the attention of Small’s former schoolmate and Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Mercersburg, Renata Williams. Although daunted at first by the transportation and taking care of her youngest child, Small ultimately felt the experience of displaying at Mercersburg merited the journey from Beacon, NY. Sydney Caretti, Director of Galleries, shared her choices in choosing Small beyond the connection with a current faculty member. “I am especially taken by the manner in which she includes the viewer in her work,” Caretti said. “While these realized botanical renderings could be only about the flora, Small includes a sense of space with a dedicated light source creating a shadow and also a hand, her or another's, holding the stem.” Small enjoys painting, and even more, the process of setting up her still life. “Choosing objects and arranging them physically is an art in itself,” she said. Occasionally, Small includes writing in her artwork, allowing her to “reconnect with writing while adding another dimension to my art. It's fun to create a story through painting things.” “In hosting an artist who reflects part of our student population,” Caretti said, “I truly hope our students experience an art narrative that is inclusive and comforting, by seeing someone who looks like them.” She also hopes students will be inspired to aim for excellence in the arts courses offered at Mercersburg. “It’s all about making connections and sparking inspiration while witnessing the glorious beauty of Melissa Small’s An Awakening, ” Caretti said. “Through my work, I hope to inspire viewers to be more thoughtful,” Small concluded. “In a world where we are overstimulated and bombarded with quick videos and tons of pictures, I hope my work encourages people to slow down and appreciate the beauty that surrounds them every day.” Previous Next

Kyle Hwang '26 < Back Sounds of spring Kyle Hwang '26 May 3, 2024 On Friday evening, April 26, the String Ensemble, Concert Band, Chorale, and Magtet held their annual Spring Music Concert at the Burgin Center for the Arts’ Simon Theatre. The families and alumni of Mercersburg were invited to the final concert of the school year, where the Class of 2024 gave its last performance, a culmination of months of practice and dedication. The evening commenced with a captivating performance by the String Ensemble, who set the tone with their interpretation of “Impact.” Michael Cameron, the director of the Mercersburg String Ensemble, said, “One thing that stands out is [the String Ensemble’s] dedication to each other and the music. We've cultivated a culture of collaboration and support within the group, which has led to some truly remarkable performances.” Cellist Thomas Zhu ‘26 noted that the String Ensemble was able to improve upon its performance due to feedback from Cameron with an emphasis on how each musician should listen to the others to harmonize smoothly. Following the String Ensemble, the Concert Band took the stage, performing three pieces to showcase their talents. Shami Beni, the Director of the Concert Band, praised the students for their tireless dedication, emphasizing the hard work and perseverance required to master challenging pieces like "First Suite in E Flat." He remarked, “Our band has been practicing for this concert since December – just a lot of work and figuring out.” Saxophone player Alex van Ess ‘24 commented on how much he had improved his tone by practicing alone and with the rest of the band throughout his musical career at Mercersburg. For the evening’s finale, Magtet and Chorale sang a beautiful rendition of “You’ll Be in My Heart,” which spoke to the audience as a hopeful goodbye for the seniors and post-graduates in Mercersburg Academy’s music programs who are graduating this month. Octet member Collin Jin ‘25 explained his process and motivation for singing. “I realized that just like how each voice, with a unique timbre and tone, harmonizes to produce beautiful music.” Collin mentioned that his singing career at Mercersburg has allowed him to adjust his vocal tone and range to complement the other singers to create a more cohesive and harmonic sound. Pema Namdol, Class of 2027, a Magalia singer, explained that her motivation stems from “music’s ability to bring about happiness and to soothe the audience.” As the curtains closed on yet another successful Spring Music Concert, the Mercersburg community left the theater inspired by the remarkable talents displayed on stage. While bidding farewell to the graduating seniors, the concert served as a reminder of the enduring legacy of musical excellence at Mercersburg Academy. Previous Next

Lisa Wei '26 < Back Arts and crafts project: Hail Mary Lisa Wei '26 Oct 28, 2022 Last summer, the Mercersburg Academy community read the book Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. The book is a sci-fi novel about a junior high school teacher, Ryland Grace, who somehow finds himself forced into a suicide mission to help save the Earth. As part of the summer reading assignment, students are required to respond to the reading in any of a variety of creative forms, and many chose to respond with visual art. Some of these pieces were chosen to be displayed in the Gallery Niche. Previous Next

Kate Sui ‘29 < Back Say it loud: Fall Spoken Word Kate Sui ‘29 Oct 17, 2025 Last Saturday evening, October 11, Mercersburg held the first Spoken Word event of the academic year in the Edwards Room. The fall spice-themed event was thoughtfully decorated by Barbara Gamboa ’26 and Grace Labans ’26 under the direction of English department chair Michele Poacelli. They provided cupcakes and other delicious treats for the audience’s pleasure. With tablecloths and small flickering candles on each table, the room was transformed into a dreamy, cozy cafe that heightened the evening’s enjoyment. The new hosts for this year’s Spoken Word series, MCs Pema Namdol ’27, Cole Piraino ‘26, and William Choi ’26 brought energy and enthusiasm to the event. The evening kicked off with the lovely harmonies of Annie Mohr ’26 and Manika Dalai ’26. The duo shared that their performance, a cover of "My Tears Ricochet" by Taylor Swift, that “fits the acoustic guitar genre,” one they had eagerly anticipated performing. They expressed deep appreciation for the audience, saying they were “glad that they created an opportunity for students to gather together to share a piece of nice music as a part of the community.” The energy continued to build immediately following the acoustic set. The girls’ soccer team took the stage to perform their rendition of "A Million Dreams" from The Greatest Showman , a song they had diligently practiced all week. In a wonderful show of solidarity, the audience illuminated the room with their cell phone flashlights, waving the lights rhythmically to the music. The performance was a true ignition of warmth and spirit, with everyone singing along and big smiles lighting up their faces. The team’s strong voices and visible team spirit fostered an undeniable sense of connection, filling the entire space with laughter and joy. Other than the musical acts, students shared great prose and poems throughout the night. New to Mercersburg and Spo- ken Word, Rebecca Liu ’29 per- formed a creative poem she wrote that explored the impact of artificial intelligence on stu- dent academic lives and the uncertain future development of AI. Her thoughtful subject matter and literary skill amazed the audience, with Rachael Zhang ’28 commenting, “It was hard to believe that this piece was written by a freshman.” Poacelli expressed gratitude and pride to see such a wide variety of themes and formats of literature presented. From poetry and storytelling to songs, each performance brought something new and unique to the stage. She said, “What makes me most proud is seeing students pushing themselves to perform, as standing here on stage is already an act of bravery, being able to present yourself and your thoughts with confidence is definitely something deserved to celebrate.” Poacelli offered special recognition for the final piece, a powerful and deeply moving presentation on women’s rights by Kate Sui ’29 and Deetya Tandon ’29. “As two ninth-graders, their ability to write and speak on such a complex and politically charged topic showed great maturity and courage.” Audience member Celine Liu ’29 added, “Their performance left a strong impression and reminded everyone of the power of words and voices.” As the first Spoken Word night of the year concluded, Poacelli encouraged more students to take part in future events, emphasizing, “Spoken Word not only is a space for creativity, but also an amazing opportunity to grow in public speaking and share your ideas with the community.” Whether you want to express something personal or raise awareness about important issues, Spoken Word is always a safe and supportive platform to be heard. Previous Next

Sophie Han '27 < Back A carillonneur: only at the 'Burg Sophie Han '27 Oct 18, 2024 The sound of the carillon bells complements the environment of Mercersburg Academy introducing uniqueness and continuity to the campus. Towering above the chapel and behind the notes is James Brinson, the school’s organist and carillonneur and the director of chapel music program, who has spent more than twenty years as Mercersburg's musical accompanist. “I grew up hearing carillon bells every Sunday at the church I attended as a child,” Brinson reflected. “But it never occurred to me that I could learn to play them. When I came to Mercersburg Academy, I reached out to Jim Smith, the retired music teacher who still played the carillon here. He started to teach me how to play, and that's how my journey with the carillon began.” Before joining Mercersburg Academy, Brinson was a music teacher at a girls' school and the music director of a church in Memphis, Tennessee. He stated, “Some carillons are located in busy college campuses or city centers, where the noise drowns out the pure sound of the bells. Here, our carillon is surrounded by peace and tranquility, which allows the music to truly shine.” “Our carillon is a truly exceptional one. It has fifty cast bronze bells, each carefully tuned to create a rich, resonant sound. It’s considered one of the best-built carillons in the entire country,” Brinson said, adding, “Many of my guests comment on how beautiful both the bells and the setting are. It’s one of those things that you just have to experience in person to truly appreciate.” School minister William Whitmore, who works closely with Brinson, shared his thoughts: “This chapel wouldn’t be what it is today without Jim Brinson’s dedication over the past twenty years. He’s one of those rare people whose heart is evident in everything he does. His care extends beyond just the music—he thoughtfully selects pieces that reflect the students’ emotions and experiences, ensuring the music has meaning.” Brinson explained, “Whether people consciously think about it or not, the sound of the bells resonates every Sunday. The carillon brings presence to the community, and marks the passage of time and continuity.” Brinson recalled a heartwarming moment from years ago: “A senior, who was struggling, wrote me a heartfelt letter expressing how much the sound of the bells meant to him during a difficult time. It’s moments like these that remind me of the impact music can have.” Previous Next

Rhiannon Myhre '25 < Back Spotlight on the Arts Showcase Rhiannon Myhre '25 Oct 7, 2022 This past Saturday, the Burgin Center for the Arts featured a showcase as part of Family and Alumni weekend to exhibit the work of the dancers, actors, and musicians since the start of school. The night included comedy skits performed by Stony Batter, pieces from the dancers, songs by the Jazz Band, and a show by the Magalia and Octet that welcomed back Mercersburg Academy alumni who had performed with these groups as students. Created, cast, choreographed, and performed all in a little over one month, the Arts Showcase was one of the first of its kind to be put on for Family and Alumni weekend. Maria Rihn ‘24, a member of Magalia, said, “I really enjoyed both taking part in and getting to watch the showcase, as it was the first time of the year that we got to really see the different arts groups performing. I’d definitely say that this showcase was different than any other performances I’ve been involved in with Magalia. The fact that we were able to sing with past members of the a capella groups made it all the more meaningful.” Bryan Morgan ‘07, alumnus, member of the arts department, and football coach, said, “I don't think any director would say they enjoy putting a performance together in a short amount of time… I know the start of the year has been challenging for me mentally with three quick performances with Chorale. I want our students to do well and always want them to be well prepared. And that takes time, period. Now, this is a big kudos to them! They buckled down and made it happen. The work they have put in to be prepared and perform beautifully should show everyone just how dedicated our students are to our Arts Programs. Solid performances aren't something that just happens because you want them to. You have to grind.” The grind of all these groups paid off. Dancer Cricket Tatone ‘24 said “It was great. I think an arts showcase is a really good idea to show parents all of the arts. They probably wouldn’t get to see a band or dance concert if their child was in chorale, so seeing the full span of the arts here is great.” Typically, only sports Performance Group Activities (PGAs) get a chance to perform during Family and Alumni weekend. This year, the Arts Showcase was included in the scheduling to give the Arts PGAs a chance to perform for their families. A resounding “Let’s do it again next year!” rang from all participating groups. Previous Next

Tristan Paulette ’27 < Back Don’t brush off Creative Cafe Tristan Paulette ’27 Jan 26, 2024 This week, Blue Review, the school’s literary and arts magazine, hosted Creative Cafe and Spoken Word, a popular student-run event. About the event, writing center director Michelle Poacelli said, “Creative Cafe was started by Blue Review. It is the fifth year that it has happened… Designed to prime the pump for creativity at Mercersburg, it’s great to see [students] at the tables, paints and watercolors spread all over, writing prompts and bookmarks all over the place. They sit down and let the spirit of creativity move through them.” Whether students are on the stage performing or off the stage creating, they are able to unleash their creativity. Kiran Innis ’27 said, “I attended Creative Cafe because one, I love painting, and then secondly, to see my friends and peers perform for the Spoken Word. I really enjoyed it. I was painting a scene of mountains and the sky. I think Hawaii inspired it, where I grew up.” Mika Martínez-Arocho ’25, who performed “I Guess I’m in Love,” said, “I love music, and I always love to sing. I don’t get many opportunities to sing in front of people. Spoken Word is one of those opportunities for me to sing in public where there is not that much pressure and I have my friends there to support me. I always love the opportunity to sing and perform.” Devin Rotz ’25 said, “It was a great way for me to spend time with friends, be creative, and support my peers in Spoken Word. During Creative Cafe, I glued together different images from magazines to create a mood board.” Bob Hollis ’24 worked with Kevin Hang ’24 during the Creative Cafe as the emcees of the event. Hollis said, “Creative Cafe brings in my role as one of the literary editors for Blue Review.” Hang added, “Spoken Word vibes are always the best. Spoken Word has been one of the coolest things I’ve been a part of here at Mercersburg… I performed ‘Redbone,’ which has been a staple for about four Spoken Words now. We have the job of making sure the energy stays high so we always like introducing each act with something silly or goofy.” About the evening, Poacelli said, “Really, all the kids were incredible. It takes so much courage to go up there and to do that and it always blows me away that the students are so confident and bold.” This week, Blue Review, the school’s literary and arts magazine, hosted Creative Cafe and Spoken Word, a popular student-run event. About the event, writing center director Michelle Poacelli said, “Creative Cafe was started by Blue Review. It is the fifth year that it has happened… Designed to prime the pump for creativity at Mercersburg, it’s great to see [students] at the tables, paints and watercolors spread all over, writing prompts and bookmarks all over the place. They sit down and let the spirit of creativity move through them.” Whether students are on the stage performing or off the stage creating, they are able to unleash their creativity. Kiran Innis ’27 said, “I attended Creative Cafe because one, I love painting, and then secondly, to see my friends and peers perform for the Spoken Word. I really enjoyed it. I was painting a scene of mountains and the sky. I think Hawaii inspired it, where I grew up.” Mika Martínez-Arocho ’25, who performed “I Guess I’m in Love,” said, “I love music, and I always love to sing. I don’t get many opportunities to sing in front of people. Spoken Word is one of those opportunities for me to sing in public where there is not that much pressure and I have my friends there to support me. I always love the opportunity to sing and perform.” Devin Rotz ’25 said, “It was a great way for me to spend time with friends, be creative, and support my peers in Spoken Word. During Creative Cafe, I glued together different images from magazines to create a mood board.” Bob Hollis ’24 worked with Kevin Hang ’24 during the Creative Cafe as the emcees of the event. Hollis said, “Creative Cafe brings in my role as one of the literary editors for Blue Review.” Hang added, “Spoken Word vibes are always the best. Spoken Word has been one of the coolest things I’ve been a part of here at Mercersburg… I performed ‘Redbone,’ which has been a staple for about four Spoken Words now. We have the job of making sure the energy stays high so we always like introducing each act with something silly or goofy.” About the evening, Poacelli said, “Really, all the kids were incredible. It takes so much courage to go up there and to do that and it always blows me away that the students are so confident and bold.” Don’t brush off Creative Cafe Tristan Paulette ’27 This week, Blue Review, the school’s literary and arts magazine, hosted Creative Cafe and Spoken Word, a popular student-run event. About the event, writing center director Michelle Poacelli said, “Creative Cafe was started by Blue Review. It is the fifth year that it has happened… Designed to prime the pump for creativity at Mercersburg, it’s great to see [students] at the tables, paints and watercolors spread all over, writing prompts and bookmarks all over the place. They sit down and let the spirit of creativity move through them.” Whether students are on the stage performing or off the stage creating, they are able to unleash their creativity. Kiran Innis ’27 said, “I attended Creative Cafe because one, I love painting, and then secondly, to see my friends and peers perform for the Spoken Word. I really enjoyed it. I was painting a scene of mountains and the sky. I think Hawaii inspired it, where I grew up.” Mika Martínez-Arocho ’25, who performed “I Guess I’m in Love,” said, “I love music, and I always love to sing. I don’t get many opportunities to sing in front of people. Spoken Word is one of those opportunities for me to sing in public where there is not that much pressure and I have my friends there to support me. I always love the opportunity to sing and perform.” Devin Rotz ’25 said, “It was a great way for me to spend time with friends, be creative, and support my peers in Spoken Word. During Creative Cafe, I glued together different images from magazines to create a mood board.” Bob Hollis ’24 worked with Kevin Hang ’24 during the Creative Cafe as the emcees of the event. Hollis said, “Creative Cafe brings in my role as one of the literary editors for Blue Review.” Hang added, “Spoken Word vibes are always the best. Spoken Word has been one of the coolest things I’ve been a part of here at Mercersburg… I performed ‘Redbone,’ which has been a staple for about four Spoken Words now. We have the job of making sure the energy stays high so we always like introducing each act with something silly or goofy.” About the evening, Poacelli said, “Really, all the kids were incredible. It takes so much courage to go up there and to do that and it always blows me away that the students are so confident and bold.” This week, Blue Review, the school’s literary and arts magazine, hosted Creative Cafe and Spoken Word, a popular student-run event. About the event, writing center director Michelle Poacelli said, “Creative Cafe was started by Blue Review. It is the fifth year that it has happened… Designed to prime the pump for creativity at Mercersburg, it’s great to see [students] at the tables, paints and watercolors spread all over, writing prompts and bookmarks all over the place. They sit down and let the spirit of creativity move through them.” Whether students are on the stage performing or off the stage creating, they are able to unleash their creativity. Kiran Innis ’27 said, “I attended Creative Cafe because one, I love painting, and then secondly, to see my friends and peers perform for the Spoken Word. I really enjoyed it. I was painting a scene of mountains and the sky. I think Hawaii inspired it, where I grew up.” Mika Martínez-Arocho ’25, who performed “I Guess I’m in Love,” said, “I love music, and I always love to sing. I don’t get many opportunities to sing in front of people. Spoken Word is one of those opportunities for me to sing in public where there is not that much pressure and I have my friends there to support me. I always love the opportunity to sing and perform.” Devin Rotz ’25 said, “It was a great way for me to spend time with friends, be creative, and support my peers in Spoken Word. During Creative Cafe, I glued together different images from magazines to create a mood board.” Bob Hollis ’24 worked with Kevin Hang ’24 during the Creative Cafe as the emcees of the event. Hollis said, “Creative Cafe brings in my role as one of the literary editors for Blue Review.” Hang added, “Spoken Word vibes are always the best. Spoken Word has been one of the coolest things I’ve been a part of here at Mercersburg… I performed ‘Redbone,’ which has been a staple for about four Spoken Words now. We have the job of making sure the energy stays high so we always like introducing each act with something silly or goofy.” About the evening, Poacelli said, “Really, all the kids were incredible. It takes so much courage to go up there and to do that and it always blows me away that the students are so confident and bold.” Previous Next

James Coors '27 < Back Fall Dance: performing your dedication James Coors '27 Nov 15, 2024 Last Saturday, Mercersburg’s Dance program performed its 2024 Fall Dance Concert, which has been in development since the beginning of the school year. The dancers prepared sixteen original dance numbers of varying genres and styles. Elizabeth Orders ‘25 said, “There were a lot of rehearsals leading up to the show. We did this thing called ‘tech week’ which is just a week of long extra rehearsals for all dancers. On the Saturday before the show, we do this thing called ‘nine to nine’ which is exactly what it sounds like, a nine a.m. to nine p.m. straight rehearsal. To most people sounds like torture but with this group of girls it was maybe the most fun I've ever had.” “Lots of rehearsals were involved in preparing in and out of PGA time, the usual weeks were ten to fifteen hours a week but some of us got up to twenty preparing for the show. I enjoyed the rehearsal process and learning the choreography but the time commitment can be a lot, but I love dancing. Our biggest strength was our group, we are pretty small so most of us are pretty connected and you could feel the unity,” Stella Johnson ‘25 said. The close community of the dance PGA allows them to work together productively, not only in rehearsals but also during the show, allowing for a unified and cohesive performance. Orders reflected, “I really enjoyed the finale, I think just knowing the show was over and all our hard work had come to fruition was so wonderful to feel, and also being up there with the entire PGA was such a great feeling.” Orders and Caroline Hobbs ‘26 performed an emotional and technically difficult duet titled "The Line" . After the show, Ary Small ‘27 said, “My favorite part was watching Caroline and Elizabeth do their dance; you could see how hard they had worked on it and how much they trusted each other.” The Dance Concert featured dances including ballet, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, and more. The dancers showed their versatility by performing a range of styles in large and small groups, duets, and solos. The lighting and costume design added color and sparkle to the performances. In the hip-hop pieces, "Peas in a Pod," the dancers donned glasses with colorful lights and when they turned them on the crowd went wild. The dancers are already back in the studio, hard at work preparing for their winter and spring performances which promise to be impressive if the fall concert is any indication. Previous Next

Sophie Han '27 < Back Jazzing things up with the Jazz Band Sophie Han '27 May 3, 2024 Mercersburg’s Jazz Band is a distinguished group of students with unique musical talents that have been showcased in many performances. Behind the scenes, Jazz Band members have devoted hours to practicing and refining their instrumental skills with astonishing perseverance and unwavering determination. Their outstanding performances on stage, such as in the Pops Concerts, spotlight the remarkable chemistry among the band members, the artistic brilliance in music, and the cohesion they weave through their shared love for music and commitment to quality. Students in the Jazz Band are deeply passionate about their instruments and committed to the highest quality of performance. Wil Kipe ‘27 noted, “Many members started playing their instruments even before they enrolled into Mercersburg. As for me, Jazz Band has been a chance for the majority of us to continue pursuing after I enrolled in Mercersburg.” Their unyielding consistency in practicing their instruments both in and outside of Jazz Band rehearsals represents significant dedication. Alex Van Ess ‘24 said, “J azz Band definitely influences my life, not only because I take time out daily to practice the instrument but also because I get the chance to listen to more jazz music outside of the day, which I love.” Whether passionate about the instrument, the genre of jazz itself, or music in general, members of the Jazz Band always come together with a positive attitude. “If I was having a hard day, but I realized that I have Jazz Band at the end of my day, it would help brighten my day and keep me going through everything until Jazz Band,” Nora Smith ‘24 stated. Alfred Ma ‘26 described his passion for playing his instrument in the group: “ One thing I love about playing the euphonium in the Jazz Band is that it has a wide range of notes that it can make, which gives me the chance to experiment with different sounds and effects.” “ It is not like other bands or orchestras, where students have to follow a certain style or note. In comparison, a jazz band is a place to express the individuality and unique style of each student. This is another reason why I love our Jazz Band.” added Shami Beni, the Director of the Jazz Band. The freedom to try new things every time with their instruments expands their boundaries of musical expression and style, an aspect of the music that Emily Tan ‘24 loves: “ Jazz Band allows me to play the instrument with my own style in comparison to the classical music pieces that I have worked with in the past. Knowing that the opportunity for improvisation both on and off stage allows me to own a piece with my own style is my favorite part of being in the Jazz Band.” The remarkable chemistry and collaboration that the Jazz Band has established are another significant part of why it is so unique and successful. “Being in the Jazz Band has been an enriching experience because I get to meet so many new people with similar musical tastes yet different experiences, which makes the Jazz Band a great opportunity for me to understand different perspectives and have fun at the same time,” James Coors ‘27 said. Previous Next

Shubhlean Kaur ‘27 < Back Brinson’s back: the director’s encore Shubhlean Kaur ‘27 Sep 12, 2025 For the 2025–2026 school year, the iconic Jim Brinson has returned as Director of Chorale and of the a capella groups Magalia and Octet. He also continues in his long-standing role as Director of Chapel Music. Beginning his 23rd year at the Academy, Brinson has consistently shown unwavering dedication to Mercersburg’s music department. Many are excited about his return as the director. When asked about his feelings toward returning, Brinson joked, “Exhausting!” adding, “This year has really reminded me that this is hard. But it’s the beginning of the year; things are always harder. I have faith that things will settle down soon.” In the past few years, Brinson had been working part-time, so the new school year has reminded him of the daunting quality of Mercersburg’s chaotic daily life, not just for students, but for faculty as well. Chorale and the a capella groups have experienced many ups and downs over the past couple of years due to a variety of scheduling conflicts, shifting leadership. The school employed different choral directors in each of the last two years. Consequently, students have become less motivated to join Chorale. However, music still plays a significant role in the life of the school, not solely for the singers, but also for the community as a whole, and maintaining this tradition remains a priority. Brinson said, “The school has asked me to build the Chorale program back up again to make people want to sing. I want people to know that they're welcome, appreciated, and valued.” Brinson aims to increase meeting days for a capella groups in order to produce efficiency during practice hours. Last year, the a capella groups had more than 20 singers in total, and Brinson plans to restore Octet’s to eight and Magalia to nine. To be more inclusive, Brinson plans on allowing upper middlers and seniors to audition for Magalia or Octet even if they are not enrolled in Chorale. By doing this Brinson hopes to promote more flexibility for students, specifically upperclassmen, who want to sing but cannot due to their busy schedules. “I have a good feeling with the Chorale kids. They want to be there. This is a good start,” said the ever-hopeful Brinson. Previous Next

Ethan Stiffler '25 < Back "What the wind told me" Ethan Stiffler '25 Nov 4, 2022 Friday, October 28, the Mercersburg Academy community gathered on the Irvine Hall patio for the first Spoken Word event of the year to listen to poems, stories, music, and more. Michele Poacelli, Writing Center Director and English Department Head, helps organize the event. “I thought that spoken word this year was terrific. I loved how much variety there was; how many people did poetry, told stories, played music and sang. I thought that it really showcased the talents and passions of Mercersburg students,” said Poacelli. She especially likes Spoken Word because of the ”unpolished and raw performances.” “There are many opportunities for students to showcase their talents in other performances, and those performances receive feedback and are polished. In Spoken Word, it’s more about having fun and having the courage to perform for the audience. We get to see less of the perfection and more of the genuine, authentic sharing,” Poacelli said. Performers on Friday ranged from musicians to poets. Ethan Stiffler ’25 said, “I enjoy performing because the learning and growth experience is always great.” Stiffler performed an original song on guitar as well as a guitar duet with Ian Kim ’23. Cocona Yamamoto ‘25, another Spoken Word performer, said, “I play the guitar and sing, so I thought it would be a great experience to perform at Spoken Word.” A tradition as old as anyone can remember - that of singing “Redbone” - was performed by Bob Hollis ‘24 this fall. “I’ve always loved spoken word and I haven’t consistently performed in them before, but there is a small tradition of Redbone being the closing act for Spoken Word. I asked Ms. Poacelli if she had anyone singing it yet. She didn’t and offered me the spot,” said Hollis. Audience members enjoyed the performances. “We loved Spoken Word this year, especially Ian Kim and Ethan Stiffler’s performance. We were not expecting the collaboration, and the combination between the acoustic and the electric was unreal,” said Isabel Su ’23, Plern Pibuldham ’23, and Jerry Wei ’25. “I loved Spoken Word this year, especially Bob’s performance. The whole event was very lively and fun,” said Jesse Loberg ’26. Mel Cort ‘23 and Kevin Hang ‘24 helped emcee the fall Spoken Word. As hosts, they kept the energy high and introduced the performers. Hang said, “I love the community gathering and having a good time during spoken word. I went up to Mel one day and asked, ‘Mel, can I cohost one day?’ They agreed and talked to me last weekend to ask if I’d host at Spoken word.” “I enjoyed Spoken Word. The cookies are great, the writings are great, the vibes are great, and I’m having a great time,” said Cort. Previous Next