November 10th and 12th, at Faith Baptist Church, the 2022 Bulldogs on Revue will be debuted. The Artesia Junior High and High School choirs will be performing music from “Motown,” featuring artists such as Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, and The Jackson 5. Students as well as staff of the choral department have been working for countless hours since the start of this school year to put together a show that so many have come to love.
“I appreciate all the members of the community who come to watch. They seem to be happy with our performance,” Christian Carrillo, a bass in the Artesia High School Choir said. He has performed in four previous productions and continues, “We have worked so long and so hard on this.”
As an eighth grader in the Artesia Junior High Treble Choir, and a first time performer, Diana Bishop is “looking forward to the dancing itself and singing while getting to know others that will become my friends.”
Susie Parker, the Junior High and High School director, has collaborated with BOR for about twenty years. When asked what her favorite memories were as the director, she proudly exclaimed, “Every year we have special memories and special moments, but usually we have a moment where I do something goofy and we laugh together, so that is what is imprinted in my head forever! We make lots of memories together.”
Unlike a scripted play, Mrs. Parker sheds some light on the students’ role within the making of the production: “The kids get involved towards the end of the previous year, trying to help pick a theme that we collaborate on. Some of these kids have ideas I never thought of or come to me with the best ideas ever!” She loves giving students a voice when it involves how they will present themselves, and this annual show is no exception.
Because of the Artesia Public School’s support for the arts, the Estelle Yates auditorium is having a 4 million dollar renovation. This project is planned to be completed by the beginning of the second semester. This showcased a problem-and since the show must go on-Faith Baptist graciously let BOR commence in their sanctuary that sits up to 900 people, which is plenty of room for the supporting community. With the pandemic being a large hurdle to jump, having the students perform in masks, the tussle of moving facilities was truly, based on Mrs. Parker’s perspective, “God showing a way. He gave us a place to perform, and we never want to go backwards!”
As a member of the New Horizons Show Choir, a group that practices outside of school, Isabella Griffin believes that this experience helps “everyone becomes closer and you really are like a family.”
Starting at 7 P.M. this Thursday and Saturday, solos, small ensembles, and full choirs will be dancing and singing to the music of “Motown.” Come and enjoy this year’s Bulldogs on Revue with your family and friends, and experience the hard work the Artesia Junior High and High School choirs have put into bringing smiles to all who attend. Tickets can be purchased at the door, each being $8.
By: Bailey Rutherford
