World Music Day continues to stay golden despite challenges

Jasmine Thompson • November 13, 2024

Senior Leeron Nakash rehearses “Don’t Speak” by No Doubt on Nov. 13 to prepare for World Music Day.

Following the displacement and reinstatement of Wes Hambright, staff and students were unsure if the annual World Music Day (WMD) show would go on as usual.

“I thought the show was probably not gonna happen,” said junior Mose Judge-Glasscock, who is playing bass on the songs “Don’t Speak,” by No Doubt and “Mr. Blue Sky” by Electric Light Orchestra. “We also started practicing late (due to Hambright’s displacement) so we’ll see what happens.”

World Music Day (WMD) is an event that is dedicated to Daniel Pearl, a journalist and musician who was killed in February 2002. Usually, WMD is celebrated in October because it is the month that Pearl was born. However, due to low enrollment after Norm Day took place, Spanish teacher Glenda Hurtado and Hambright both were displaced in September. Criticism from students and parents and Dr. Judea Pearl, the father of Daniel Pearl, Hambright was reinstated. Since some students’ schedules were changed after Hurtado was displaced, which included combining a couple of the music classes, the performance was pushed back into November.

“When I was displaced, the responsibility would have been more on the students and less on me,” Hambright said. “The students would have put on as much of a great show.”

This year, the theme for WMD is “Old but Gold” and will be performed in the MPR from 7 to 9 p.m. One of the many songs that will be performed is “Dedicated to the One I Love,” by The Mama & The Papas, which will be performed by sophomore Nadia Buer.

“I chose the song that is dedicated to the one I love because it holds a certain significance in my personal life,” Buer said. “When I hear the song, I think of someone really special to me and I am so happy that I will be able to play it for people.”

Students started practicing in late October. They practice in Hambright’s music rooms; the classrooms get split into three sections where students practice their vocals and some bands sing their songs in the other two sections. During the week leading up to WMD, students rehearse in the MPR all day to ensure a great show.

“We’re practicing a lot, like after school we have rehearsals, some lunch rehearsals and during advanced band we usually practice throughout the day,” said senior Leeron Nakash, who will sing “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor.

About the Contributors

Jasmine Thompson, Staff Writer

Jasmine Thompson is a sophomore and first-year staff member on The Pearl Post. Her goal this year is to get accustomed to the program in order to advance in staff her junior year. Outside of The Pearl Post, she is the current vice president on the class council and plays for Birmingham Community Charter High School’s Varsity Volleyball team.

Andre Arcilla, Digital Media Editor-in-Chief

Andre Arcilla is this year’s Digital Media Editor-in-Chief. This is his second and final year on staff. His goal on staff is to make sure there’s more videos on The Pearl Post site and social media and to further improve his writing skills. At school, he’s the president of the Art Club. During his free time, he enjoys video editing, listening to lots of music, drawing, and playing video games with his friends. He hopes to keep finding new and creative ways to express himself and tell stories.