The music department at Marblehead High School has shown us time and again that it is bursting with talent, passion and dedication. Spanning multiple wins at a cappella competitions, years of sold-out opening nights for the spring musical, and various local performances around the community; the population of student singers, musicians and performers is thriving and accomplished.
Lucy Key performs at The Barrelman last month. COURTESY PHOTO
The Barrelman has long served as a space for high school students and alumni to perform. The panel of singers the Barrelman has welcomed includes former students Brady Weed, Jake Piascik, Griffin Collins and junior Lucy Key, who made her debut last summer.
Key has been musically inclined from a young age. She is personnel manager for the Jewel Tones, MHS’ co-ed a cappella group, as well as an active member in Drama Club and choir, having performed with Massachusetts Senior Districts Choir two years in a row.
“Music is everything to me,” Key shares. “I’m involved in it at school, at home and in my extracurriculars — it’s really everywhere in my life. No matter how bad my day is, I can always pick up my guitar and sing.”
On Sunday, Aug. 22, Key showcased her musical talent once again at The Barrelman. Family, friends and supportive community members enjoyed the cozy ambience as the music filled the room. Highlights of the evening included heartfelt renditions of “Jolene” by Dolly Parton, “Stick Season” by Noah Kahan, and “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac — songs that showcased not only Key’s range but also her ability to bring fresh emotion to beloved classics.
Performing in a restaurant setting is a personal experience for Key.
“With a smaller group, it feels almost like you are having a conversation, there isn’t even really a stage separating you,” she said.
As a young artist, she lets her passion drive her through each triumph, challenge and every moment in between.
“I have been passionate about music for as long as I can remember. Being young can sometimes mean you’re seen as the underdog compared to people who have been in the industry longer, but I find that is motivation to work even harder.”
For new and growing artists, it is performances like this, where the stakes are low but the opportunity for creative expression is boundless, that allows them to truly discover who they are in a performance space. While not the hugest venue, performances at The Barrelman are a staple for many of Marblehead’s young talent to rise and unite people in a way that only music can. Nights like these remind the community that art doesn’t need grandeur to leave an impact — it just needs passion, connection and a space, no matter the size.
