Hunger Concert a huge success

By: Christina Kostic
Posted In: News

Salve’s annual hunger concert in Ochre Court proved to be a sold out show on Friday, with students, faculty, and members of Newport’s community filling every seat.

Overflows of audience stood on the second floor, watching the happenings from above.

The Great Hall looked impressive with red carpets laid across the floors for the special event, and delightful displays of refreshments and snacks awaiting guests.

The show was a rich mixture of musical styling, with everything from modern songs like Jewel’s “Foolish Games,” all the way to classics like Cole Porter’s “I Get a Kick out of You,” and even a song from the summer blockbuster Hairspray.

Performers who participate in the concert are allowed to choose their own song selections, resulting in a fun and unpredictable outcome.

The diversity of music in the show was equally as varied as the audience. Small children, parents, grandparents, and Salve students were just some of the many faces that smiled and sang along during the concert.

Musicians from the SRU jazz ensemble and Shore Point both performed in the concert, along with Salve’s own Cliffnotes and student singers from Salve’s music department.

Choral director, Don St. Jean held auditions for those wishing to participate in the show. Lots of work goes into preparing for this concert, which is one of the first big shows of the school year.

“It’s more stressful than one may think, as a performer we do not find out our order of appearance until the night of the show,” said junior Ann Coppola.

This was Coppola’s first year participating in the concert, who sang the comical duet: “Anything You Can Do,” with sophomore Terin Guessferd.

When asked what she thought was the best part of the show: “I think that the highlight for me was just hearing the audience’s reactions to the performers,” Coppola said. “Sometimes that is what can make the show a great one.”

One song the audience really responded to was a heart-wrenching performance of “Proud of Your Boy” by Cliffnote Matt Dinda, who actually brought tears to many of the audience members’ eyes.

The audience’s reaction to the song was unifying, and was a precious reminder of the bigger reason that everyone came to the hunger concert-to raise money for charity.

All proceeds that are made from the hunger concert benefit local Aquidneck Island soup kitchens.

Beautiful songs, sung in a beautiful building, and all for a beautiful cause; there is no doubt that this concert is truly a treasured event.