Why Everyone Is Talking About the Forest Hill Pops Concert

At Forest Hill Elementary, the annual Pops Concert is not your typical elementary choir performance.  And according to music teachers Peter Simons and Taylor Gibson, that student ownership is exactly the point.

“They come up with a lot of the ideas,” Simons explained. “It’s not a standstill-and-sing kind of performance. There’s choreography, movements, staging, props and recording their voices. There are a lot of different elements involved.”

Now in its fifth year, the Pops Concert has quickly become one of Forest Hill’s most anticipated traditions. Led by Simons and Gibson, fourth and fifth grade choir students select their own songs, form groups with classmates and spend about a month rehearsing alongside teacher and parent volunteers before taking the stage for a packed audience.

This year’s performances included everything from romantic ballads and pop anthems to throwback favorites and Broadway hits. Audience members were treated to performances inspired by Olivia Dean, Forrest Frank, Taylor Swift, Panic! At the Disco, Bruno Mars and even “The Schuyler Sisters” from Hamilton.

At the end of the evening, “The Schuyler Sisters” earned the judges’ top honor, while the audience choice award went to the crowd-pleasing performance of “Double Dutch Bus.”

The event also featured a panel of judges made up of Houston Middle School students, many of whom are former Forest Hill choir students themselves.

“The first year I had to ask students to come judge,” Simons said. “Now they ask me. They love coming back.”

Returning once again as emcee was Memphis radio personality Danni Bruns, who Simons says has become an essential part of the experience because of her humor, energy and ability to keep the crowd engaged throughout the evening.

Behind the scenes, Simons and Gibson coordinated everything from group placement and rehearsals to audio recording, editing, technical production and backstage logistics. Parent volunteers and teacher leaders also played a major role in helping student groups prepare for the performance.

But beyond the music and entertainment, the two educators say the event is ultimately about helping students grow.  “I think they build confidence because they have to get on the stage,” Simons said. “A lot of them are scared at first. Then afterward, I had one student say, ‘I enjoyed getting on stage for the first time.’”

Students also learn teamwork, collaboration and resilience, especially when navigating the highs and lows of competition.

“They have to work with the team. They have to listen to input from others,” Simons said. “And when some of them were disappointed not to win, that became another life lesson too. Learning how to cope with disappointment and work through it.”

For Simons and Gibson, one of the best parts of the evening is simply watching students step into the spotlight.

“I sat back there and smiled the whole time,” Simons said. “Even if a kid was shy or looking down while singing, they still got up there and did it. I would never have done that at their age.”

And years from now, they hope students remember the Pops Concert as more than just a performance.

“My goal is for them to look back and say, ‘That’s when I first got on stage. That’s when I first found this direction for myself,’” Simons said. “I hope it’s a stepping stone and a starting spot.”