Category: Arts & Culture

  • Jazz Band End of Year Concert

    Thursday, June 8, Poly’s jazz bands are having their final concert at Cal State Long Beach’s Daniel Recital Hall from 6:30 P.M to 8:30 P.M. Students are going to be given a chance at showing how hard they have worked, practicing in class and individually, during their solos at the concert. Senior trumpeter Tatiana Tate responded, “For our trumpet section, sometimes we’ll have outside sectionals where we work on pieces that we’re struggling with and try to blend our sounds together.” Junior Eric Wilson, who is featured as a soloist on the alto sax and soprano, is playing “Barnelles,” though he further explained that he is playing lead on all the songs.

    The Jazz Band is playing a number of charts including a Sammy Nestico tune called “New Day”, “Wolf Den Funk”, “Look of Love” by Abigail Hodge, “Pick Up The Pieces” by The Average White band, and the song previously mentioned to be performed by Eric Wilson – an original song called “Barnelles” written by jazz director Chris Stevens’ son Will. Gabriel Burns, who plays the alto sax as well, is also being given a solo at the concert, performing a pop tune from the late 60’s and early 70’s called “More Today Than Yesterday”. The Jazz Band encourages you to attend the concert; Burns said, “It’s going to be a lot of fun, if you can go, you should.”

  • Jazz Band End of Year Concert

    Thursday, June 8, Poly’s jazz bands are having their final concert at Cal State Long Beach’s Daniel Recital Hall from 6:30 P.M to 8:30 P.M. Students are going to be given a chance at showing how hard they have worked, practicing in class and individually, during their solos at the concert. Senior trumpeter Tatiana Tate responded, “For our trumpet section, sometimes we’ll have outside sectionals where we work on pieces that we’re struggling with and try to blend our sounds together.” Junior Eric Wilson, who is featured as a soloist on the alto sax and soprano, is playing “Barnelles,” though he further explained that he is playing lead on all the songs.

    The Jazz Band is playing a number of charts including a Sammy Nestico tune called “New Day”, “Wolf Den Funk”, “Look of Love” by Abigail Hodge, “Pick Up The Pieces” by The Average White band, and the song previously mentioned to be performed by Eric Wilson – an original song called “Barnelles” written by jazz director Chris Stevens’ son Will. Gabriel Burns, who plays the alto sax as well, is also being given a solo at the concert, performing a pop tune from the late 60’s and early 70’s called “More Today Than Yesterday”.

    The Jazz Band encourages you to attend the concert; Burns said, “It’s going to be a lot of fun, if you can go, you should.”

  • John P. Chandatlantic, Series 1 Finale

    “Dude, I think I really messed up this time. I think I messed up bad.”

    Evan didn’t even bother rolling his eyes. He just kept right on staring at his phone. Eventually, probably realizing that he really did want to hear what I was talking about, he grunted out, “Okay, what’s up?”

    “So I was on a date with Jazz last Sunday–”

    “So yesterday.”

    “Shut up, smartarse. Anyway, we were on a date and she said the L-word.”

    “What? Really? You’re freaking out over the saying ‘I love you’? That’s weak dude.”

    “What? No, we’ve been saying that for weeks.”

    “Aw, aren’t you guys just freaking adorable.”

    I swear, if he was the kind of dude who spit on school campuses, Evan would’ve right there. What the hell is up with him?

    “Dude, what’s up with you?”

    “What’s up with you?! All you ever do these days is complain about her. Jesus, just break up with her already.”

    “What the hell dude? No!”

    “I mean, I vent to you sometimes, but that’s just when I need to vent. Everyone needs to vent sometimes. And most of the crap I tell you are my goofs anyway. Like, dude, our relationship is pretty great. I love her. Love the hell out of her. She’s, like, awesome.”

    “No you don’t.”

    “Yes I do. Screw you.”

    “Screw you! She’s not right for you, I’m telling you.”

    “You like her! You do! That’s why you’re always hanging around us! I’ve seen you glaring when I kiss her!”

    Why am I saying this? He’s pissed me off. Crap. I don’t like this. I don’t want to be angry with him. I don’t like being angry. People say things they don’t want to when they’re angry. He’s quiet. When does this class end? Stupid finals schedule. We didn’t even do anything. Last day of finals though. The bell rings. Freaking finally. Evan doesn’t rush out. I try to meet his eye.

    “I’m sorry dude. I got carried away.” He looks into his bag, then throws it over his shoulder and looks me full in the face. Has he always been this much taller than me?

    “It’s not Jazz I like, dude. It’s you.”

    And he turned and walked out, way too dramatically. I wait a second, processing, then run out of the bungalow after him. He’s speed walking, I can’t reach him. Jazz and I have plans after school anyway. There’s a cafe up the road that she recommends. Apparently, they’ve got great pancakes. That’ll be a good setting to talk about Jazz’s illness. I guess this proves it though. I can finally stop calling myself a freshman.

  • Aspiring Talent at Poly

     

     

    T-Lost

    By Ashlyn Morgan

    Staff Writer

     

    Long Beach Poly rapper Tyler Stokley also known as T-Lost is known for his unique performances on the rally stage. Tyler began rapping in 2015, but then he took a brief break and then began to rap again around late 2016. His first live performance on the Poly Rally Stage was during the Homecoming Faire.

    His raps have caught the attention of many Poly students and have caused him to become well known around campus. He has also performed on the rally stage during lunch and other fairs. Aside from his live performances, he also promotes his music on social media. Stokley stated, “I prefer performing live over recording because I can express myself more and really get into it. It involves the audience more and there’s more of a connection between the artist and the audience, too.”

    When asked about where his music inspiration comes from Stokley said, “I guess my music is inspired by the band Gorillaz. Though I’m surprised that people are actually enjoying my music and listening to it.”

    His new mix tape, “I Don’t Care”, will be released on May 15th. The album will be available on his SoundCloud, his Youtube channel, and most major music services like iTunes and Spotify. Stokley has a Youtube channel (youtube.com/Tlost), Instagram, and Soundcloud. If interested, take a listen to his music. When asked to describe his music in three words he described it as “sick, fire, and dope.”

    Eddie Valencia

    By Rebecca Lopez

    Staff Writer

         Eddie Valencia is well known around Poly for his extraordinary and unique dances. The senior’s dancing has caught the attention of many Poly students and has students from all over campus raving to see him dance. Valencia’s favorite style of dancing is “cute and sexy” and it gets the rally stage audience full of screaming fans. As a senior, he has only been dancing for two years, and he’s already performed on the rally stage about 7 or 8 times. Eddie claims that dancing is both a hobby and his passion.

    There is really no one who inspires him. Valencia said, “I don’t really look up to people because I like to do my own thing.” He doesn’t remember when his first performance was, but Eddie felt really nervous and worried about what people were going to say. He plans on pursuing a dancing career after high school and he will be focusing on K-pop.

    Recently, Valencia went to Mexico because he was invited to KCON, a Korean music festival, and performed there. While in Mexico, he had a video filmed about his dancing and it will later be released. Valencia said that being filmed was interesting because he had to have people following him around. The video will include clips of him from the convention as well.

    Eddie’s upcoming performances include the senior rally and the Poly dance show  in May.

     

     

     

    JYoungin

    By Chantera Walton

    Staff Writer

    Long Beach Polytechnic’s sophomore Jeremiah Jones, also known as JYoungin, is infamously known for being a rapper. At the young age of 16, Jeremiah is already an artist and an entrepreneur.

    Jones’s passion for music started at the age of 14, and he said, “I was inspired by my father. He used to be in the music industry and he had a couple of artists that he promoted by making T-shirts to give away to the crowd.” He is well known around school and on social media for his music. He describes his music as, “motivational, catchy, and the new vibe.”

    Jeremiah wants people to take away something valuable from his music. He does not want people to just listen to the music he wants them to listen to the message. He expresses, “I want my music to have a big impact on people. I want my music to be uplifting and motivational I want them [youth] to know if you want to do something in life then don’t let nobody tell you [that] you can’t.” He also wants his music to be positive and different. “I’m really passionate about my music, I love writing [and] leaving people with a message in my lyrics; I like to call myself a lyrical rapper because it’s certain songs that are out there that are really negative but I like to think my songs are just having fun and living in the moment,” he ssaid.

    Jeremiah has plans on releasing new music. He says he has been recording a couple of songs and they will be dropping soon.

    Romel Morris

    By Yesenia Pacheco

    Arts and Culture Editor

         Romel Morris, sophomore, began writing his rhymes at the age of five. He never took his music seriously until he was eleven and started to perform in school talent shows and street shows. He focused on rap and break dancing throughout his childhood. He has written all of his own music, and has enough material to make several mix tapes.

    He listens to all kinds of music, but his favorite genre has always been hip-hop. “I look up to a lot of local rappers, but I try not to get too into one artist. I don’t wanna end up some kinda copy cat. That ain’t me.” He said as his fingers tapped across a bar, making a basic beat he often uses for his free styles.

    When asked about his recent increase in social media followers, Morris commented, “I don’t think I’m there yet. People know me, but there’s still so much to be done. I really wanna make it.” As of right now he is taking things step by step, starting with one minute freestyle videos on his Instagram, then once he gets a solid following, he’ll startup other media sites.

    He is open to collaborating with other Poly musicians, if they have a connection and can “vibe together in a creative and intellectual kinda way.”

  • The Serialized Adventures of John P. Chandatlantic, Part 3

    I’m really starting to like this girl. She told me her name was Jazz.

    Evan says we can’t be friends now because I like Jazz. I don’t get it but he did a finger guns gesture when he said it, so I guess it was supposed to be funny. There were little question marks floating around my head at that moment.

    Then Jazz and I are walking together. Her mom picks her up around four. I can go home sooner; I don’t really want to. I told Dad I had to talk to a teacher after school. So now we’re walking around together. I hadn’t actually realized there was another set of stairs on the science building. I swear I’ve only ever seen the ones by the small gym. We stand on the stairs by the auditorium. We look at the distant skyscrapers by the beach. It’s a lovely view but I can’t help sneaking glances at her instead.

    Just say it. C’mon John, you know you like her, just tell her. C’mon, what’s the worst that could happen?

    She could grab your shirt collar and jump off the balcony, taking you with her to your horrible splat three stories below.

    She could be like Isabelle. That one hurt.

    “You know you’re really kinda cute.”

    “Thanks,” I reply, before my mind registers what she said.

    Then I whip around to look at her. She looks crushed.

    “Oh my god wait. Really? Do you mean it?”

    She does this adorable half-laugh-half-sigh. It was poetic.

    “Yeah,” she says. “I’ve been crushing on you for a few weeks now.”

    Holy-mother-of-all-holiness- thank-you-Jesus-and-Santa-Claus -and-Buddha-and-whoever-else-made-this-happen. I am shocked.

    She’s still looking hurt. I don’t know what to say. This is not how I saw this going. I am okay with this. I am very okay with this.

    I smile and she smiles back, softly. We walk down the stairs. She says she has to use the restroom.

    I wait outside. Dad says he’s here, but I don’t want to go. He calls my phone. I can’t ignore it; I pick it up and walk to one corner of the science building. I hear the bathroom door open and turn around slowly.

    All I catch is a flash of her hair and a quick glimpse of tears on her cheeks. Then she runs down the stairs.

    “Wait!” But she’s gone. What the hell just happened?

  • Cartoon Corner

    Cartoon by Ahmad Ali

  • Inspirational Glee and Choir Concert

    On Wednesday, March 15, Poly had a choir concert at Cal Heights Methodist Church. The night began with Chorale singing “My Girl” and two other songs. Next, Cecilian started their set with a processional where they walked up to the stage while singing, then sang a jazz piece and one more.

    Chamber sang three songs, one in Latin, one in French, and an African hymnal. Jazz Two sang an a cappella ballad and two others with one that featured Claudette Maloles. Jazz One then sang three songs, featuring Morgan Luke and Joe Pham and scat solos from Lan Nguyen, Abbie Hage, and Claudine Maloles.

    On Thursday, March 9, the Inspirational Glee, a beginning level group, and Grace choir, which is the more advanced  group, put on a stunning vocal performance in the Poly choir room.

    As sophomore  Tajahnai Clemons said, “We did good because during rehearsals we did not put as much effort as we did so the teacher did not think we would do as good as when we performed but everyone was clapping so we felt proud because eventually we achieved what we wanted to.”

    There were also soloists at the concert, but each soloist only sang a verse from a song. The song “Baby”, which was originally composed by the R&N artist Ashanti, was performed by senior Jasmine Castelo.

    Castelo said, “I sang a solo to ‘Baby,’ but just the first verse because other people sing different verses… I felt good about it, I think I could have done better, but I was a little nervous.”

    Choir director Brian Dokko was pleased with his students,, “The concert was great!”

    The next and final concert will be held on June 1.

    The entire music program is hopeful that the last concert of 2016-2017 school year will be held in the Poly Auditorium, which has been under construction for quite some time.

  • Artist Spotlight: Chuck Berry

    When most think of the king of rock n’ roll, the first thing that comes to mind is Elvis Presley. There was, however a leader of rock, a man who not only is credited with creating the genre, but perfecting it. Chuck Berry is a true musical legend and passed away at the age of 90 on Sunday, March 19. He is the most influential artist in rock.

    His hit “Johnny B. Goode” was even included on the Voyager 1 spacecraft in 1971. He was born Charles Edward Anderson Berry, on October 6, 1926. In 1955, he became the first singer-guitarist to be on the Billboard 100.

    So many other rock icons wouldn’t have even thought of picking up a guitar had they never heard his music. Artists whose lives he touched included Lenny Kravitz, The Rolling Stones, John Lennon, Elvis Presley, and The Beach Boys, groups who continued to change rock music forever. Without doubt, his music will also inspire generations to come. Long live the king of rock n’ roll!

  • Irvine Jazz Festival

    On Saturday, March 18, Poly’s jazz bands performed at the Irvine Jazz Festival from  7 A.M. to 7 P.M. Many students performed in the festival including Madeline “Maddi” Farmer and Brandon Samuels. They are a part of the Poly Combo 2, which is in the advanced division. Their combo won the second place prize for their performance.

    Samuels stated, “Mr. Stevens prepared us for this concert by really being there for us and helping us whenever we need the help.”

    Farmer said, “Mr. Stevens is always there to help us but the combos also have separate practice after school.”

    Jazz teacher Chris Stevens prepared his students and was there helping them so they could show off everything they worked for at the festival.

    Samuels said, “Overall I felt that my group and I did well in our performance and we worked hard and put in everything we had.”

    The next big jazz festival will be held in Reno, Nevada. This festival will take place from April 27 – 29. Last year Poly Combo 1 got first place overall in the whole festival in the combo category.

  • Playhouse Turns Tropical for ‘Once On This Island’

    At the end of this month, Long Beach Poly’s drama students are performing their second production this year,  Once on This Island Jr., a younger adaptation of Lynn Ahren’s one-act play called Once on This Island. This play is an adaptation of the novel My Love, My Love; or The Peasant Girl by Rosa Guy, setting the story in the Caribbean.  The story has some elements from the well-known tragedies Romeo and Juliet and The Little Mermaid. The show times of the play are March 24, 30, 31, and April 1 at 7:30 P.M. There are also showings on March 24 right after the Intercultural Fair, and March 25 at 2:30 P.M.

    Tickets are being sold for $8 per student and $12 per adult. Tickets can be purchased at the banker, room 851 and online. Snacks will be available for purchase at the play.

  • Long Beach Jazz Festival

    Long Beach Jazz Festival

    Poly students performed at the Mayfair Jazz Festival on February 24 at Mayfair High School, where Poly’s Jazz C ensemble came in first place. They also played at  the Western States Jazz Festival on February 25 at Upland High School where Poly’s Jazz A2 ensemble came in third place and Jazz A came in fifth place in their own divisions.

    Those festivals are the oldest and most famous jazz festival in Southern California. Most of the best schools were there, as jazz teacher Chris Stevens said, “The Poly musicians played great!”

    For the first festival, the following four songs were played; “Sack O’Woe” by Cannolbal Addrley, “It’s Alright With Me” by Cole Porter, “Breathing” by Fred Sturm, and “Backjump” by Troy Andrews and Mike Ballard. For the second festival, the following four songs were played: “Low -Down” by Thad Jones, “Blue Skies” by Irving Berlin, “ Here’s Looking at You” by Charlie Haden, and “One Sided Coin” by Dan Radluaer.

    There were many solos at both festivals, each involving about two or more soloists per song.

    Freshman Alex Reams, one of the soloists at the Mayfair Festival, said, “There were about three judges there and I was nervous, but overall I think I did pretty good.”

    Senior Madison Alexander, another soloist, did not have that much time to prepare for the festival because one of the other piano players from Jazz A2 wasn’t able to make it. However, according to the judges, Alexander was still part of one of the “tightest rhythm sections” and that her solo had good licks. Alexander claimed that hearing that was “unimaginable and pretty elating to hear.”

  • The Serialized Adventures of John P. Chandatlantic, Part 2

    Part 1 of the “John P. Chandatlantic” was published in the High Life on February 23

    I heard a senior call the area between the 200 Building and the 300 Building as “The Meadow.” I like that. It’s cute. A good place for flowers and bunnies and—crap, Dad has me making Jackrabbit puns.
    Everyday when he drops me off he always says, “All right, hop along now, have a good day.” Every. Single. Day. Hop along.

    Oh, who am I kidding, I love puns. Last Thursday in math, the girl who sits behind me was talking to her friend and her friend says, “Dude, my sister literally locked me out. I had to climb the tree up to my window!” The other girl goes, “Wow, you’re really branching out.” So I turned around and was like, “I cannot be-leaf you just said that.” She laughed and then I didn’t really know what to say so I just turned back around. Nobody said anything for a little while so I kinda half-turned around; then realized I didn’t know what to say, so I didn’t. Then I turned around and asked if she would be interested in Batman Club.

    She was kinda cute actually…

    I still haven’t really found a lunch group yet. Most days I just chill in Mr. A’s room during lunch. My friend Evan and I play Speed. Sometimes when the computers are open we’ll find some stupid browser game to play together, so that’s fun. And there’s Batman Club once a week. We just get together and Mr. Maddison plays episodes of the Batman Cartoon. Evan comes with me, when he remembers. There are usually one or two other kids, and sometimes we chat.
    I still haven’t really found my niche though.

    But the other day I was looking out of Mr. Maddison’s window— that one that can’t close because it’s broken— and down into the Meadow and I noticed that she was sitting there, laughing and chatting with some of my classmates. There were little white flowers in the grass and a couple of her friends were making dandelion-bracelets for each other. I knew everyone she was with; most of them I talk to in class.

    On screen, Batman punched the crook off a dock and the end of lunch bell rang. Evan threw his arm around my shoulder and dragged me off to my next class.