IDC Talent Show departs from average into excellence

FUHSD students represent schools in a clash of talents

All was quiet in the FHS Auditorium—as quiet as it could be when students from all five schools in the district were tittering excitedly in anticipation, their whispers filling what little was left in the packed auditorium. Blue lights danced across the stage as the Tech Crew bent in concentration over the mikes, the speakers occasionally emitting feedback. The band walked on stage, their focus only disturbed to acknowledge the occasional catcall that broke above the hum. A band member raised his hand, and the crowd erupted into an  outright uproarAllow me to cut to the chase: the IDC Talent Show was eclectic, electric, and just plain awesome.Students from all over the district represented their five schools in the IDC Talent Show on Feb. 4. They performed dance pieces, songs, instrumentals, rap and even magic—each one wowing the audience in turn.Highlights of the Night:1. Jessica Lo from FHS, skillfully playing “Cat and Mouse” on the piano. Her fingers told a thrilling story that kept the audience on edge.2. Line 6 from HHS singing “Secrets” by OneRepublic, for receiving the loudest applause once the audience recognized the song.3. With every unnatural yet incredibly smooth manipulation of his limbs, freakishly flexible popper Arjun Bharadwaj from HHS, drew gasps from the crowd.4. Contemporary dancer Matlynn Henry of FHS performed a soft yet compelling lyrical piece.5. Blake McMurray, from HHS, kicked off his shoes and used a combination of his feet and his hands to tap the guitar as percussion.6. Willy Wang of LHS pulled ping pong balls out of thin air.7. HHS’ “My Heart Bleeds Oceans,” the group that chose their name for its over-the-top comedic value, displayed their offbeat humor in their rap: “And all of you haters can kiss my- back!Two guitar-singer duos were from MVHS—”Aaron and Cathy”, as junior Aaron Ho and sophomore Cathy Ang called themselves, and seniors Gary Wang and Brian Thai. The French and Indian War, which featured juniors Christophe Haubursin, Hemanth Kini, Nicolas Arquie, and senior Saurabh Deo,  performed “Speed of Sound” by Coldplay in tribute to the late Ron Freeman. It truly was one of the more inspiring performances of the night, and the crowd alternated between respectful silence for Freeman and loud cheering for the band’s excellent rendering of the song.Throughout the course of the event, the audience forgot about all competition except who could cheer for their school the loudest, wave their arms the longest, and have the best time. So when the prizes were announced, it went without saying that the acts all received equally enthusiastic applause.Henry from FHS took third, with MVHS’s own Ho and Ang in second. The first place for the IDC Talent Show went to McMurray of HHS for bringing a whole new meaning to the phrase “foot-tapping music.”These acts put the F-U-N in Fremont Union. The IDC Talent Show gave students got a chance to put aside the inter-school rivalry and revel in the brotherhood of the FUHSD’s best.Correction 2/9/11: HHS student Arjun Bharadwaj was incorrectly identified as a student from another school.