VHS students shine at Buffalo Beat Cafe; proceeds benefit music department
November 18, 2009
By Ken Archer of The Villages High School
By DAISY MOON, DAILY SUN
Saturday, November 14, 2009 12:04 AM EST
THE VILLAGES - With dimmed lights, round tables scattered across the room and a snazzy stage arranged in one corner, The Villages High School cafeteria was transformed from its usual school lunchroom setting Friday night, as students of the VHS music department came together for the third annual Buffalo Beat Cafe: A Fall Coffee House 2009.
Quieting the busy chatter that preceded the show, choir members opened what was soon to become an evening of upbeat tunes, drums, poetry and the first-ever performance by the VHS drama club, with a hand-clapping rendition of "Seasons of Love" from Broadway musical "Rent."
Their attention completely captured from the first note, audience members settled back into their chairs and enjoyed tasty treats, coffee and hot chocolate.
While those in attendance had the pleasure of soaking in show-stopping tunes such as country music hit, "I Run To You" by Lady Antebellum, students on the performing end were given the chance to freely express themselves using their talents.
Jessica Nemeth, an eighth-grade band member who plays the tenor sax, says that's exactly what she appreciates most about being musically inclined.
Playing her instrument of choice allows "something inside" to come out, she said.
That sort of mindset is also what music director Robbie Riddle hopes to ingrain in his talented young musicians.
"I think, most of all, they get a chance to be themselves and express themselves," he said of holding events such as Buffalo Beat Cafe.
Not only that, but Riddle feels the relaxed atmosphere is a nice escape from the usual, more reserved performance setting students are accustomed to.
The coffee house "takes the formality away from all the things that the kids are used to doing," he said. "This is just a time for the kids to hang out in a safe place and just have as much fun as possible."
At the same time, however, even an event as casual as the Buffalo Beat Cafe helps to prepare students for a future in the world of music should they choose that path.
"They get a lot of experience of how to put a show on and how to behave professionally," Riddle said.
Though he described it as a "student-run production," Riddle said volunteers, parents and administrators were highly instrumental in making sure the annual coffee house shindig became a reality.
Proceeds from Friday night's event benefit the VHS music department.
