Clarke rocks on at annual show

On what appeared to be a typical Wednesday evening in late April, instead of eating dinner at home with their families, W.T. Clarke High School students flocked the auditorium for the fifth annual Rock Show.
   
The Rock Show, held on April 28, offered students an opportunity to express themselves musically the way they want to. That meant playing in an electric orchestra, rocking out to a Paramore song, or even slowing it down with some acoustic-style Michael Jackson hits.
   
The event is so beloved by students that a number of Clarke graduates return from college for a few days to help out. Alexa Grosskreuz, a freshman at Stony Brook University, volunteered some of her time. “I returned because the rock show was an absolutely awesome experience," Grosskreuz said. "I came back to make sure that the younger [students] get as amazing of an experience as I did when I went through it. Also, I really wanted to help out Mr. [Paul] LaConti who puts an enormous amount of work and effort into this show and for his students in general year after year.”
   
Though the Rock Show consists of student performances, it isn’t just an ordinary talent show. In fact, the services of lighting and sound companies are used to give this show a much more “concert-esque” feel. Brilliance Event Productions handles the lighting and Randy Hitz, an independent audio engineer and producer, handles the sound.
   
The professionals were recommended by the fathers of two students involved in the show a few years ago. They have been helping out in the Rock Show ever since. 
  
Music teacher Paul LaConti has run the show from its inception. This year he coordinated it along with fellow faculty member Kris O'Hagan.
   
“The Rock Show is so different from other school events because it includes everyone in the school," LaConti said. "Every different group of students, whether they’re involved in sports or music or Honor Society, participates. It’s an all-inclusive club. It’s exciting because I can get kids from so many different parts of the school who blow me away with their voices.”