Austinaires ‘Startin’ Somethin’’ at end-of-year performance

Austin High School choir students will be ‘Startin’ Somethin’’ this weekend.

The annual Austinaires end-of-year show takes place Thursday, Friday and Saturday. This year’s theme, “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’,” promises high energy and lots of contemporary and classic pop/rock tunes.

“I’m pretty thrilled,” said AHS junior Jeremy Olmsted. Olmsted said this was the first Austinaires show he had ever practiced for, and a bigger show than previous concerts he had done.

“This one’s more important,” he said.

The show is an annual tradition showcasing the skills of elite choir students in Austinaires, Choralaires and Concert Choir. That means a lot of hard work goes into the end of year show, according to AHS Choir Director Brian Johnson.

“You realize all of the work these kids have put in week in and week out for the past few months, and how much they’ve grown over the years in the music program,” he said.

For Johnson, this year’s show is a little more bittersweet than usual. His son, Ethan Johnson, is a senior this year and will perform in his last high school show. Though Johnson said each show is always tough as he loses another group of students, the fact he gets to direct his son’s last Austinaires show is special.

“It’s kind of a special connection,” he said.

The show opens with Michael Jackson and features hits from all eras, from One Direction to Cyndi Lauper to ABBA. There’s something everyone will recognize, according to students.

“It’s really awesome,” AHS senior Sarah Sullivan said.

Sullivan is feeling bittersweet about the show, too. It’s her last high school production, after all. But she’s excited to perform this weekend once more

“It’s the best show of the year,” she said.

“Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” takes place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Each show will be a little different, according to school officials Tickets are available at Hy-Vee and AHS for $6 for adults, $4 for students and seniors. Tickets at the door are $1 more.