Bela Tapperson, staff reporter
This year marks junior Bela Tapperson’s second year as part of the MacJournalism program and first year on The Shield staff. She has a passion for photography, both journalistic and commercial, and enjoys live reporting and feature writing. Bela is also a technical theatre major with a focus in lighting design. She has designed for various dance shows and two MacTheatre musicals, and was the student technical director for McCallum’s production of 42nd Street. Outside of school, she enjoys creating art in many ways, some of which include painting, woodworking, music, flowering, and cookie decorating.
![JINGLE BELL JAZZ: As finals and winter break rapidly approach, band celebrated the festive season with their annual holiday concert on December 9. Many band members even dressed up in red and green to add to the holiday spirit. The evening started off with a selection of songs from jazz band featuring their vocalist Maryanna Tollemache. After that, the percussion section performed a few pieces they’ve been working on, preparing for their upcoming performance at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago. “It was crazy to see how much they have on their plate,” clarinetist Isobel Buffum-Robbins said, “And [they] still put out such a good product.” Finally, the full McCallum Band went on stage with five pieces: Sleigh Ride, Polar Express, Still Still Still, Three Moods of Hanukkah, and Christmas Festival. “I’ve always had fun during winter concerts but this year was different,” said junior Kyle Davis. “The audience was massive compared to years previous and that helped build a lot of people’s confidence. To know that every person out there is excited to hear you play just makes you feel so happy and more in spirit.” Photo by Bela Tapperson.](https://macshieldonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/49196845996_b891c48907_o-1-900x600.jpg)
![BEHIND THE SCENES: On Wednesday, Starmites technicians wait backstage during a long number. Run crew member Dashel Beckett (far left) says him and Emily Horan (right of Beckett) “were taking a peaceful moment before [they] had to go into the quiet chaos of the stage.” Horan and Theo R. (far right), both sound crew, have the stressful job of identifying and solving problems with the actors’ microphones in the short amount of time they have offstage. Other sound crew technicians are stationed in the booth to adjust volumes to make sure the actors can be heard. There is also a technician in the booth that controls the sound effects, “which there are a lot of during this show,” Horan says. “Sound crew is in charge of making actors heard on stage, but not backstage.” You can hear the actors and sound effects for yourself this weekend: Thursday through Saturday at 7 and Sunday at 3. Photo by Bela Tapperson](https://macshieldonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/44921062252_87eb33431d_o-900x600.jpg)