MWMF’s Sounds Like School initiative held its first concert on Cotter’s campus.

The St. Cecilia Theater was filled by students, families, and MWMF supporters to listen to musicians LOTT, Jillian Rae, Victoria Sunah Shim, and the Cotter Show Choir on Friday, February 27th.

As spectators were settling  in their seats, Cotter student Victoria Sunah Shim took the stage with a perfectly executed performance of Chopin’s “Fantasie Impromptu Op. 66” on the grand piano. After introductions, Shim performed another song, “Rondo Capriccioso Op. 14” by Felix Mendelssohn.

“I thought her piano pieces were amazing. Her hands moved like magic across the piano keys. I was very impressed with her performance. It takes a lot of courage to do that, and I am very proud of her for sharing her talents with everyone at the concert,” said Cotter senior Kaylin Zukowski.

LOTT then took the stage, utilizing her loop pedal throughout and providing humorous ramblings between songs. The audience remained respectful, mesmerized throughout the performance, and offered applause after each song. LOTT and Victoria Sunah Shim join each other on stage for a captivating performance.

“Lott took a cool approach with her violin. Everyone around me seemed to really enjoy the concert, and everyone I talked to after the show really enjoyed it as well”, ssaid Zukowski.

The headliner for the show was Jillian Rae and her five piece band. Throughout their performance, Jillian Rae demanded the center of attention as band members join her for a secondary Cotter hosted Sounds Like School event.

Full of hand gestures and dancing, Jillian Rae proved to be a very enthusiastic performer.

As a closing song, Jillian Rae invited Cotter Show Choir to join her and her band on stage and performed her song “Chains”.  The show choir voices were muffled behind the amplification of the band and drums, nonetheless the students and band enjoyed the collaboration.

“Jillian Rae and her band were my favorite part of the show…they had a lot of energy and had some great songs,”  said one Cotter senior.

To paraphrase Casablanca, “this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship,” between Cotter and Midwest Music Fest.