Uptown Music Collective set for one-night tribute to ‘90s pop rock
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WILLIAMSPORT -- On March 15, the Uptown Music Collective will present its third performance of its 2024-2025 performance season with "Wonderwall: The Ultimate '90s Mix" at the Community Arts Center in Williamsport. This one-night-only concert, presented in collaboration with UPMC North Central Pa. and UPMC Health Plan, will take those in attendance on a musical road trip honoring iconic songs and artists that defined one of the most colorful eras in rock history, all performed by the passionate and hard-working students of the school's "Special Performance Group 1" (SPG1).
Wonderwall celebrates the diverse sounds of '90s pop rock music, featuring hits from artists like Oasis, Foo Fighters, Sheryl Crow, Green Day, Natalie Merchant, Jewel, Counting Crows and many more. This performance is sponsored, in part, through partnerships with Hudock Capital Group and Geisinger's Janet Weis Children's Hospital.
Months of preparation have gone into this show, with UMC's SPG1 students dedicating themselves to perfecting these classic tracks. Known for their professionalism and exceptional talent, the students are ready to deliver a dynamic live performance that will transport the audience to the era of oversized jeans and Discmans.
"There was a lot more to the '90s music scene than grunge," said Jared Mondell, assistant director of the Collective. "Although, that is what most people immediately think of when talking about the era. In that vein, this show is kind of a 'spiritual sequel' to our 'Decade of Grunge' tribute from last January. A wide variety of pop rock from the '90s would not align with last year's grunge theme. In one set, we will jump from Spin Doctors to Ani DiFranco to Green Day. It's almost like the students will create a '90s mix CD live on stage!"
Collective students have diligently prepared for this event for more than three months. Along with the music, there will be a professional-grade light and sound show organized by the students themselves, who work alongside the professionals at the Community Arts Center. As with all Uptown Music Collective performances, the students are not only the performers but also the directors of the show. A group of younger students, or "Tech Monkeys," will serve as stage technicians and spotlight operators. The cast for the show is drawn from the Uptown Music Collective's much-heralded "Special Performance Group 1."
This show is directed by Uptown Music Collective seniors Abby Jamison and Owen Miller (Williamsport Area High School). The show's leadership committee consists of UMC students Tixo Bower (a homeschool student); Nick Willoughby and Matthew Bellino (Danville Area High School); Izzy Butters, Lila Butters, and Ella Hertwig (Loyalsock Township High School); Grace Godin and Caiden Scarfo (Williamsport Area High School); Elle Donlin (Loyalsock Township Middle School); Mackenzie Hakes (South Williamsport Area High School); Rowan Alamy (Lewisburg Area High School); and Rian Gephart and Gianna Waldman (Montoursville Area High School).
"I've become very excited for this show as we start putting it together," Hertwig said. "There are so many unique qualities to this era of music and I think that this show really showcases that. So many iconic artists and bands are featured, from Tori Amos to Dave Matthews Band to Sheryl Crow. My parents were always listening to this era of music when I was growing up so it's nice to come back and revisit some of these artists. I'm so excited for this one-night show, and I hope others are, as well!"
Additional partners and sponsors for this performance include Chartwell Hotels, Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships, The Kiessling Group of Janney Montgomery Scott, KFC of Williamsport, The Brickyard Restaurant and Ale House, The Stonehouse Wood Fired Pizza and Pasteria, The Crooked Goose, Woodlands Bank, FASTSIGNS of Williamsport, Lycoming College, Pennsylvania College of Technology, The Hartman Group, Beiter's Furniture, Mattress and Appliance, and Roche Financial. Media sponsors include Backyard Broadcasting, the Williamsport Sun-Gazette, Lamar Advertising, 92.1 WSQV, NorthCentralPa.com, and The Graphic Hive.
Tickets for the performance are only available through the Community Arts Center box office and website at www.caclive.com. In addition to this show, tickets are on sale now for the final show of the Collective's 2024-2025 Performance Season, '80s Arena Rock: Power Ballads & Rock Anthems, set for April 25 and 26.
For more details about Wonderwall, visit uptownmusic.org/wonderwall or call 570-329-0888. Check out the Collective's official Facebook page and other UMC social media outlets for teasers, previews, behind-the-scenes info, and more from the performance.