Pops at the Pond By: Hope Menken

Eleven years ago, the music and theatre departments at Hardin-Simmons University (HSU) collaborated to create an event that brought together students and the public for an evening of community and music.

           Now the highly anticipated annual event Pops at the Pond (Pops) is a free, public performance that is a unique blend of a recital and musical. The musical selections are Broadway style and range from classics such as Oklahoma! and The Wizard of Oz to contemporary pieces such as Frozen and Mean Girls, the musical. Pops will take place on Anderson Lawn, beside the pond, or in case of inclement weather conditions Van Ellis Theatre, on Sept. 19, at 6:30 p.m. and will likely conclude around 7:30 p.m. This year’s performers have been hard at work and are thrilled to welcome everyone back on campus for this special tradition. 

“I have participated in Pops all four years, and it is such a fun way to kick off the school year.”  Anthony DeLaGarza, senior musical theatre major from Wichita Falls, said. “Everyone comes out and supports, and the energy is electric.” 

Everyone, from students and alumni to the public, is welcome to attend and encouraged to bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets. There will additionally be concessions available for sale through Alpha Psi Omega during the event. 

“I performed with Pops at the Pond last year and we had a great turnout,”  Allie Byork, junior musical theatre major from Bowie, said.  “Honestly, just performing for everyone is really fun. It’s a really fun atmosphere and it’s nice to have a day to have a picnic and just listen to music.”

The experiences gleaned from Pops are not just limited to the performance either. As Kristen Lea, sophomore acting major from Houston, said, “It has been really fun to create this performance with Hannah (Chilando, a sophomore worship leadership major from Lusaka, Zambia), who’s one of my best friends. We’ve just had a really sweet time singing and dancing together and being creative and having fun. It’s a beautiful way to enjoy and showcase our friendship.” 

HSU looks forward to sharing the talents of its students and bringing together students, staff, faculty and the Abilene community for this one of a kind evening.

Program

Bekah Shirley- "You Can't Get a Man with a Gun"

Mallory O’Neal- "Shy"

Allie Byork- "I Know Things Now"

Amber Cardenas- "The Wizard and I"

Anthony DeLaGarza- "Out There"

Sam Strawn- "It Roars"

Logan Hughes- "The Kite"

Abigail Songer- "Nothing"

Mackenzie Marshall- "I Can't Say No"

Hannah Albin- "Vanilla Ice Cream"

Colton Bosang- "A Hatful of Dreams"

Colton Bosang/Chloe Sokora- "Love is an Open Door"

Chloe Sokora "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"

Lex Mendoza- "Put on Your Sunday Clothes"

Kristen Lea/Hannah Chilando "L.O.V.E"