By Anastasia Avlon
It would be quite the feat to walk out into the world and find someone who is not either an active fan of John Lennon, has at least listened to his music, or is, at the very least, privy to his renowned name. As one of the members of The Beatles, one of the most famous bands in history, John Lennon amassed seven Grammy awards and more than 83.3 million album sales in his career, certainly making him worthy of recognition and remembrance.
Bergen Community College’s own faculty members of the Music Department did just that. Lennon was honored and celebrated with a performance of 13 of his songs at the Anna Maria Ciccone Theatre on Thursday, Oct. 9, which would have been his 85th birthday. Not only did their performances reinstall the notion that some music is truly timeless, but it also shone the spotlight on the not often displayed talent of the professors. From solemn acoustic guitar performances to passionate singing to upbeat drums with a rock-and-roll vibe, the event was a truly immersive medley of sounds that miraculously seemed to evoke nostalgia for a time I’ve never even lived.
Second on the setlist, Professor Kathy Sheppard serenaded the audience with a solo piano mashup of Lennon’s “Julia” and “Mother.” Before commencing her solo, Sheppard set the tone, discussing the vulnerability in the lyrics of these songs, which allude to Lennon’s relationship with his mother, or lack thereof. She highlighted painfully raw lyrics such as, “mother you had me, but I never had you.” While her piano solo was void of lyrics, the flavor was fervent. This tragically sweet performance heightened in tempo near the end, feeling cinematic and whimsical, before evaporating into softness. There was no better way to pay respect to Lennon than with something stripped of novelty — just one instrument — yet so encapsulating of Lennon’s music, which was evidently inspired by deep, complex emotions of loss.
Professor Dan Sheehan showcased both his guitar and vocal skills as he performed “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away.” The enthusiasm and passion evident in this rendition were tangible. It felt like autumn as a song. Professor Leigh Jonaitis’s vocal skills were on full display with her first performance of “In My Life” and her second performance of “Beautiful Boy,” which I admit pulled on my heartstrings quite a bit. “Beautiful Boy” stands as one of Lennon’s most auditorily soothing, entrancing and heartfelt songs. This lullaby, filled with melancholic nostalgia, was written for his son, Sean, who amazingly shares a birthday with his father and celebrated his 50th this year. Jonaitis’s voice was smooth and fond, doing justice to this universally beloved, tender arrangement.
It was clear to see that this event surpassed solely providing the community with an evening of music; it was a meaningful revival. As many people who grew up in the 1960s and ’70s can attest, John Lennon was not just a musician but a creative, musical pioneer, lyricist, poet and even political activist. As a member of the younger generation, it was insightful to take a metaphorical, musical journey back into the past and consider the impact of his work. Further, the appreciation on display, which highlighted the individual impact that Lennon’s career had on the music faculty, was quite wholesome. Professor John LaBarbera spoke on the impact that Lennon had on him as a teenage boy, the time in his life which ignited his passion for guitar and the arts. Going on to perform a solo of “A Day In The Life” on guitar, it was evident that the musical endeavor begun in LaBarbera’s youth had evolved into a majestic proficiency. LaBarbera’s exceptional guitar skills included, it was such a joy to witness the melodic expertise among the professors I hadn’t known existed.
Additionally, I was pleased to have had the opportunity to sit down with the director of the event, Professor of Music Andrew Krikun, for a post-concert interview. He spoke of the moment he decided to bring a John Lennon tribute into fruition: “The idea was to feature music and performing arts faculty. We got the date, which happened to be Oct. 9. As you can probably tell, John Lennon was one of the most important people in my life.” A fateful crossing of the stars? “It was his 85th birthday. Pure coincidence,” he stated. Astoundingly, the simple designation of the event’s date coinciding with Lennon’s date of birth shaped its focus entirely. Had their gig been offered one day later, would it have had a completely different setlist, a full 180? Perhaps all 11 professors would have been adorned in cowboy hats, with a piece of straw in their mouths as they tapped their cowboy boots to the beat and sang along to a southern twangy beat. Yeah … I’ll thank my lucky stars that this wasn’t the case — this Lennon celebration was lovely as is.
“We’re all different ages and backgrounds, so we all bring different perspectives, which is great,” Krikun explained, divulging into the dynamic he and his colleagues brought in tributing Lennon: “the idea of the concert, too, was to highlight the individual faculty members and the idea was for them to choose the songs that meant a lot to them.” Correspondingly, each faculty member had the chance to introduce themselves, say a few words about Lennon’s musical impact on their lives, and explain why they chose to perform their respective pieces.
Krikun continued, “We don’t get to do it all that often. We’ve had faculty performances in the past, but this was the first one in … a long time. About two-thirds of the [Arts] faculty participated. You know, we all have different schedules, so to be able to work on something like this together is a treat. And everybody had a great time.” I myself had no doubts on that front. The energy backstage after the concert’s conclusion was irrefutably vivacious, triumphant and creatively fulfilled. Despite simply being a student with a passion for music and the arts, and no say, if I were their employer, I would certainly encourage more events like this, in pursuit of preserving morale (I solemnly hold that no faculty members bribed me to say this)!
Proving himself as a triple threat — quadruple if you include directing — Krikun showcased his vocals, piano virtuosity and guitar abilities throughout the night. During his rendition of “Norwegian Wood,” his vocals were accompanied by the chitarra battente (a chordophone of the guitar family) played in the background by LaBarbera. The chitarra-battenete offered a unique sound, similar to the classic guitar but possessing a metallic brilliance, the instrument’s roots in ancient Italy giving it an earthy resonance.
Notably, Sheehan embodied Lennon’s well-known appetite for weaving political activism into his music. Singing “Working Class Hero,” Sheehan channeled Lennon’s outspokenness, an undertaking which still remains powerful 50 years later. Lyrics such as, “when they’ve tortured and scared you for 20 odd years, then they expect you to pick a career, when you can’t really function you’re so full of fear, a working class hero is something to be,” prove that Lennon’s music was not just about achieving a catchy sound, but about voicing his lamentations. Undoubtedly, Lennon’s voice burned into a generation and left its mark on the world as a whole. Moreover, it continues to inspire those in the younger generations, like me, who are just beginning to absorb these powerful lyrics. Sheehan impressively held out the last note of the last line of the song: “if you want to be a hero, just follow me,” which solidified not only his musical qualifications but his earnest commitment to the craft.
Closing the show with a memorable finale, the performers ended the night with the widely beloved “Imagine” and “Give Peace A Chance.” With the audience clapping and singing along, it was thoroughly felt that despite the differences in age or background of everyone in that room, we could all come together to appreciate the substantiality of the art. If even one person went home after the concert with a re-energized sense of unity and creativity, a service would have been done. I can confidently affirm that at the very least one person did, and as Lennon wrote in “Imagine,” “I’m not the only one, I hope someday you’ll join us and the world will live as one.”
