Lake City High School production of 'STOMP' starts tonight
<p>Lake City High School students in the 'STOMP' musical group bang on a plethora of objects such as garbage cans, cooking pans, water jugs and plastic buckets on Tuesday at Lake City High School. Today and Thursday at 7 p.m. at Lake City High School, 31 students will perform a percussion-fueled concert using a variety of surfaces to create sound. Both concerts are free and open to the public.</p>
<p>Hunter Bell, a student at Lake City High School, flips a drum stick in the air as he beats on a water jug during a practice for the school's musical group 'STOMP' on Tuesday at Lake City High School.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE — Lake City High School students ascended the stage Tuesday, many with drumsticks in hand, but not a drum set was in sight.
Instead, all the students in the auditorium had random objects to use for their percussion instruments — pots, pans, barrels, buckets, pipes and more.
A few students began the performance with a slow, rhythmic beat. Soon, all 31 members joined in and worked together, dancing and creating music using whatever item was available to them.
This percussion-punctuated rehearsal was in preparation for LCHS' annual production of "STOMP."
Benjamin Shepherd, 18, of Coeur d'Alene, is a former student and "STOMP" member. He said "STOMP" is a way for the class to have fun by using things that don't make sense.
"It's a class where people learn leadership skills, and there are certain captains that are over people, and you work together as groups and problem solve," Shepherd said. "Sometimes you are required to come up with a routine in five minutes and it has to be 30 seconds long, and you just have to use your shoes or your fingers or your car keys."
The original "STOMP" started in 1991 by a group in the United Kingdom and now is a show performed worldwide. It has won multiple awards and has been produced on HBO and as an IMAX film.
LCHS music teacher Tim Sandford said LCHS began performing "STOMP" 13 or 14 years ago. He said the students are not given scripts or music to follow, they simply work together to create the music.
"If people want to see a very unique concert, it's a lot of fun," Sandford said. "This is something you don't want to miss and we would love to have as many people come as possible. These guys have worked very hard."
"STOMP" performances are at 7 p.m. today and Thursday in the LCHS auditorium. Attendance is free but donations will be accepted at the door.
LCHS is located at 6101 Ramsey Road.