Cook to perform senior recital March 5

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Bryana Ayala

Bryana Ayala, Reporter
February 25, 2022

Parker Cook is one of the many seniors who is preparing for senior projects. On March 5, Cook plans to hold a senior recital in the auditorium that will be opened to the public.

While some seniors have already finished their projects, others are currently working on them such as Cook.

Cook has been focused on making her senior project a recital since November but has had the general idea for years. She mentioned that many of her family members have also held recitals in the past, and this experience inspired her to do the same.

The night will be full of performances that range from solos, duets and group numbers.  Cook decided to include a total of 15 songs. Some of the songs have been performed by her throughout the years, but others have grown to be sentimental to the singer. The other performers are people who are close to Cook such as her friends, peers and her father.

People Involved

Other performers: Ellie Isle (12), Luke Rokosky (12), Will Secriskey (12), Benjamin Kennedy (10th), Brooke Ajay (12)

Lights: Lukas Caracciolo (12)

Sound: Allison Wolf (12)

Cook has been involved in the vocal side of music ever since she was a child. In seventh grade, she decided to join the chorus group and has been a part of the group since. Cook states that she mainly focuses on her vocal talent in school because of her busy schedule, but she has mentioned that she will go to a teacher if an important opportunity is coming up.

“I’ve been singing my whole life. I’ve been in chorus and vocal ensemble. It’s just my passion, and it’s what I love to do,” Cook said.

Although some of the music will be by track or accompanied by Cook’s project representative, Kelly Sipes, Cook will be playing on the piano for one of her songs, “She Used To Be Mine”. Cook has been playing the piano since she was 5.

Attention Grabbing Cook’s poster for her recital catches the eyes of many as they walk through the halls. Cook used Canva, a graphic design platform, to make a poster that will spread the word of her upcoming recital. “My whole color scheme is purple, that’s what we’ll be wearing. Like purple dresses and suits. I don’t know, I just felt like purple spoke to me over the last year, and that’s what I wanted to design the posters around,” Cook said. (Courtesy of Parker Cook)

The posters themselves have been donated to Cook. On the poster, there is a suggested donation of five dollars that will be going to the drama club.

“This is a fundraiser really. That’s the main idea of this, the fundraiser for the performing arts club- the drama club,” Cook said, “There’s no charge for this event, but I have advertised that we’re accepting donations. $5 from every person adds up, and hopefully we can get them [drama club] a big check.”

Ben Cossitor, the adviser of the performing arts club, has expressed his gratitude for the funds being donated to the club. He mentioned being surprised at the generosity of Cook and talked highly of Cook as a club member. He states that all funding would go towards materials and equipment that would make the club’s productions increase in quality.

“Parker is very generous to do this for the club, and we are so grateful for this and all of the time and hard work she puts into our club’s activities,” Cossitor said. “She performs in most of our productions, she’s a member of the Studio Theatre class, serves as one of my community service workers, and it feels like she is always around to help with anything that needs to be done…she always goes above and beyond with her time and energy.”

Cook wanted to give all of the donations to the drama club because of her past involvement in the club. 

“I picked the drama club just because it means the world to me,” Cook said, “I’ve been in the drama club since seventh grade. I love doing shows and musicals, and it has just made me who I am. I really want to give back.”