For over a decade, a collaboration between the Montgomery County Community College Lively Arts Series and one local school has been a driving force in helping students discover a life-long passion for the arts. Now students had a chance to showcase their talents on stage by opening for a legendary music group.

The 38th Lively Arts Series season kicked off in a big way with a performance by the jazz vocal group “Manhattan Transfer” at the Blue Bell Country Club Sunday, Feb. 6. For many inside the Grand Ball Room, the show was spectacular from start to finish, beginning with the opening act, featuring students from Eisenhower Science and Technology Leadership Academy.

Under the direction of Dr. Barbara Weikert, Music and Choral Director, 16 middle-school-age-students took the stage representing the Norristown Area School District. Their performance celebrated diversity and highlighted the students’ individual talents by including electric guitar players, an ensemble singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and “Halo,” a choreographed routine, American Sign Language, a Spanish solo/guitar selection and an a cappella soloist. Audience members left the show raving, saying it enriched their overall experience.

“It was so great to experience the Lively Arts program in person once again! Manhattan Transfer was wonderful, AND the students from Norristown were wonderful and amazing!” wrote community member Beth Miller in an email. “Honestly, I got a bit teary-eyed because I was so moved by the first young singer in the group as he stood on stage and sang the a cappella solo. He sounded beautiful and he was courageous. All the students were wonderful. Please, please convey to these students at Eisenhower Middle School how much they enriched our evening.”

The glowing reviews were not lost on Weikert.

“We were so immensely grateful to be invited to perform,” she said, noting it was their first school field trip in over two calendar years and they appreciated the support from parents and district administration for allowing the performance to take place. “It really is about the kids. It’s the talent that the children displayed and the way that they can participate and have these unique and amazing abilities that they’re willing to share.”   

The performance is part of a long history of collaboration between MCCC and Eisenhower, one of the College’s adopted schools. For over a decade, the two schools have worked together on projects, beginning with the Lively Arts, said Weikert and Brent Woods, Senior Director of Cultural Affairs at MCCC.

“Our relationship with the community college, particularly the Lively Arts, started with developing theatre programs and stage crew,” said Weikert. “We wanted to create competent, available stage crew members, who would be able to serve at the middle school level and go on to do theatre through high school and beyond.”

From there, Woods continued to find unique opportunities for the two schools to work together, including winter and spring showcases and other dance and choral performances throughout the school year. He appreciated Weikert’s ability to bring out the best in her students, he said.

“We have a long relationship,” said Woods. “Dr. Weikert uses the arts as a way of teaching life skills. Some kids go into law or medicine but they have a basis of feeling for creativity. She understands how to use music and the arts as a tool for critical thinking, risk-taking and developing discipline in students. It shows in their grades and where they end up going later in life.”

The opportunity to open for “Manhattan Transfer” at such a young age will be an experience students will remember for the rest of their lives, said Weikert.

“To have walked out and be in the audience with the beautiful chairs and chandeliers in the room and perform for ‘Manhattan Transfer” is unforgettable,” she said. “My role was coach. I played a supporting role. We are developing competent, confident musicians, ensuring their musical gifts can be shared. It’s about the kids.”

The two schools will collaborate again through the Lively Arts Series with “Trekking Mexico,” a special community event celebrating the rich Mexican culture, taking place Saturday, April 2, at 11 a.m., at Eisenhower in the auditorium, 1601 Markley St., Norristown.

For more information about the entire Lively Art Series, ticket, venue and seating information, and/or health and safety procedures, visit the landing page or contact Brent Woods at livelyarts@mc3.edu.