Junior Kaylee Baumann worked hard for Band’s annual POPS concert and she’s excited to present the songs to the audience.

Band director Steven Schmitz said those who attend the POPS concert will have music and dinner at the cafeteria then hear the band in auditorium right after.

“There is a pizza dinner with jazz entertainment at 6 p.m. in the cafeteria,” Schmitz said. “Then everyone heads to the auditorium at 7 p.m. for more music by our three concert bands.”

Schmitz said the band students prepared for the event since December.

“About thirty students joined the POPS Council and came up with a theme and some ideas of music that fit the theme. A few students create artwork for posters, t-shirts, tickets and programs and others create humorous skits placed between the pieces of music,” Schmitz said. “A few students plan music for scene changes when one band leaves the stage and another enters it. About 30 students usually help me create a few props the weekend before the event.”

Junior Kaylee Baumann said she helped with poster designs for advertising the event.

“Our band council has been working to plan out the theme and song choices and plan work days to create our POPS letters to be hung on stage,” Baumann said. “Lots of people including myself have also made poster designs to be voted on so we can spread the word.”

Schmitz said the purpose of the event is to entertain the audience and give students opportunities to be in charge of the concert.

“The goal of this event is to build student leadership while entertaining the audience with more recognizable music. Students have the decision-making power in the theme of the concert, some of the music selections, the artwork, advertising and the skits,” Schmitz said. “This is our most student-led concert of the year. Anytime a program invests in student leadership, the program gets stronger.”

Baumann said she looks forward to the music choices for this POPS concert.

“This year’s theme is POPS Honors the Greats which is my favorite theme we’ve done so far of the three I’ve been a part of,” Baumann said.” Our music is including Prince and David Bowie who was one of my favorite musicians and role models growing up so it has a personal meaning to me to be able to play his music.”

Schmitz said the only cost for the event will be the food.

“Listening to any of the music is free. The only cost is for the pizza (and) soda dinner and that would be $10 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens,” Schmitz said. “Band students will collect money for tickets the week before, but they will also be available at the door the night of the event.”

Schmitz said he recommends to attend because it’s an enjoyable event with fascinating music.

“I strongly recommend SLP students attend. We always get very positive feedback. It is a very fun event that honors some great artists who passed in 2016,” Schmitz said. “The music is accessible and easy to listen to. Park’s own rock band, Crosswalk, who plays mostly original music and a few cover tunes, will be playing some of the scene changes.”

Baumann said she recommends students attend because the music has influenced people positively in the world.

“I would definitely recommend other students to attend this year’s POPS concert. I think the theme is fun and the music is recognizable and there will be something for everyone’s taste,” Baumann said. “After the year we had I think coming together to listen to some music and honors those who impacted our world would be nice for us all to be able to bring good vibes into the year ahead of us.”

The 14th annual POPS concert will take place at 6 p.m. March 6 in the cafeteria and auditorium.