This year students will be performing David Bowie’s album “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972)” at the annual Great Gig concert. Student performing groups (SPG’s) were assigned certain songs from the album by Samuel Appiah and Giles Pugatch in December and have been practicing since.
Bowie’s album follows the storyline of a fictional rockstar named Ziggy Stardust who believes he and his “Starmen ” can save humanity’s desire to “Rock n Roll” after they find out Earth only has five years left to survive. Ziggy Stardust is regarded as Bowie’s breakout album where many of his signature stylistic choices, such as wearing bright makeup and androgynous outfits, were brought into the mainstream.
Senior Teddy Meyer, co-chair of the rock focused SPG 49 Clinton, is excited about the opportunity to present such a highly-regarded album for his senior concert.. “This David Bowie album is really a classic rock album that is one of the greatest rock albums in history,” Meyer said. For many DOPA days, the band usually chooses pieces that are more well known and while Meyers described having fun at those performances, he also enjoys learning songs that are musically complex. With David Bowie’s music, these complexities include key changes, difficult time signatures, melodies, and counter melodies.
These complexities in regard to musicality and concept were large factors for Pugatch choosing this record to perform. “This particular album for me is such a quintessential Great Gig record in that it’s a concept album in itself. There is a storyline within the album. From a songwriting point of view every song is a masterpiece. And, it will be a very fun costume party as well” Pugatch said.
He added how integral student engagement with the performance was for its success. There are about 80 students taking part in the performance, making their willingness to commit and be self-directed imperative.
Freshman Jack Costo, Saxophone player and member of SPG’s, Positive Rhythm and 49 Clinton was able to partake in last year’s Great Gig as part of a hand selected group of 8th graders. This year as a high schooler has greatly differed. Costo said, “It feels like it is more important in a sense, which makes it feel stressful, but also like a big deal. It’s exciting to know that what I’m part of is taken with such pride from the music department.”
Meyer feels bittersweet about going out with a bang. He said,“My first song, “Lady Stardust,” starts with a piano solo and that’s going to be my part. I’m just waiting for that moment when I start playing.” He continued, “I’m looking most forward to getting on stage when the lights go down and the music starts. That is always the greatest moment of the performance: when you step out on the stage, you look out at the full theater and everyone is waiting there for you to start.”
