Bohemian Supper Club to take the stage this weekend
- Nathaniel Smith | Editor-in-Chief
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
The Bohemian Supper Club (BSC) Orchestra and Singers perform this Saturday, April 11, at the Trueblood Performing Arts Center in another benefit concert for the Salem Education Foundation.
We asked Musical Director Bill Spencer-Pierce about this nearly 20-year-old tradition.
“In the fall of 2007, we needed to provide a showcase for the SHS Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and to create a space where students outside the ‘traditional school music program’ could perform,” he said.
“A coffeehouse format seemed a good idea, so we prepared some music, got some kids on board, and set a date. SHS Art teacher Jane Spencer-Pierce supervised the kitchen and would do so for several years.
“People ask about the name all the time. A friend of mine had a student club at Madison that he had called the ‘Bohemian Supper Club’. I don’t know what they did, but I liked the mildly subversive ring to it. Turns out there is an actual Bohemian Supper Club out in Idaho.
“It was a one-night event, attended by 67 people, light on live music and heavy on recorded tracks provided by SMS teacher Dan Mullins. But the smell of coffee filled the air, there was a fun vibe, and a new tradition was in play.
“After a couple years, we were working multiple nights and adding live accompaniment,” he continued. “It was then that SHS Science teacher Greg McCurdy approached us with the idea of incorporating Guitar Club students.
“A series of ‘theme shows’ followed: ‘Beatles’ was selected as the first of these, a sure-fire way to hook McCurdy and his Guitar Club crew. He has been an equal partner in these shows ever since. SHS English teacher Matt Adkins would soon get on board. Then-Superintendent Lynn Reed upgraded our facility and made sure we had adequate funding.
“Before long, there was a cast of 40+, there were two separate back-up bands, and were drawing sell-out crowds over a four-night run. Along the way, we established a Choir Alumni Scholarship, and an Alumni Committee to support these.”
During the season of pandemic, additional teachers got on board with the idea that musicians would be eager to perform again. They led the way in transforming a school project into a community event.
A partnership with the Salem Education Foundation, led by former SHS Director of Guidance Jennifer Martin was established, and the event was moved to the Trueblood Center to handle larger ensembles and audiences.
Joining the effort were music educators Bill Laughlin and Chris Karkovsky of Paoli; Sam Bortka, NYC, New York; more recently, Brittany Hildenbrand, SHS Band Director and Caitlin Kemker, SHS Choir Director.
Other area teachers volunteering their talents include Zack Turner and Andrea Snyder, along with Ball State Music Ed major Katie Hobbs. An additional seventeen Salem Choirs alumni round out the cast and crew, now seasoned performers in their 20s and 30s.
The event has yielded over $12,000 since 2022, with all proceeds benefiting the Dollars for Scholars fund administered by the Salem Education Foundation. Previous benefit shows raised over $3,000 to establish the Salem Choir Scholarship.
All seats for the family-friendly concert are $10, and patrons can buy tickets at:
Salem Apothecary
Loy and Fordyce Insurance
Beacon Credit Union
Salem High School
Online ticketing is available here at: EventBrite.com.
Doors open at 6:30 pm, and tickets can be purchased at the door. Showtime is 7:15 pm at the Trueblood Performing Arts Center on the campus of Salem Middle School.
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