Liberty’s theater department had their annual spring musical from April 18-20, performing “Twelfth Night.” This show was a musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s original play with modernized jazz-funk songs. This was the second musical at Liberty to have a live band. Last year with their production of “Bright Star” they featured a string originated live pit, with instruments like the violin, cello, banjo, and a few others. This year with the jazz style musical they had a more brass focused pit.

Carter Datz, the LHS choir director, was the bandleader for the pit and played piano during the show.

“I had a great time leading the band,” Datz said. “Getting to play with extremely talented musicians of all ages while helping make sure the show moved along seamlessly was a blast.”

As bandleader, Datz was in charge of setting the tempo for each song, leading the start of new sections of songs, and leading the endings.”My favorite moments were when everything fell into place in the middle of a song and I could look up from my music and enjoy watching the show as if I were in the audience,” Datz said.

Datz’s hard work and direction has paid off, as he was one of five music directors in the St. Louis area to be nominated for “Outstanding Musical Direction” in the St. Louis High School Musical Theatre Awards, also known as the SLHSMTAs.

The live pit also featured four Liberty band students; senior Leilani Green and sophomore Connor Velleca on saxophone, senior  Patrick Stankovich  on guitar, and senior Tessa Wilson on bass.

“I enjoyed it, it was fun to see everyone jam out to the music in the audience,” Wilson said. “Plus getting recognition for your playing is always nice, and sometimes you don’t get that when you’re in a larger band.”