By Aakash Jain ’14
THE ROUNDUP
Senior Phillip Rapa ’14 has directed and written music for several Student Theater musicals such as “A Very Potter Musical” and “Pokemusical,” and hopes to study music composition in college.
Rapa has played the piano since he was five years old and has also added the synthesizer, guitar and percussion to his repertoire over the years.
A self-described “chord progression go-to guy,” Rapa said years of practice and experience have made him very comfortable with the language of music.
“Over the years you learn to read very quickly, I can just build chords very quickly,” Rapa said. “It’s like reading a book for me.”
Rapa added that his creative process often involves a great deal of trial and error and experimentation with different sounds.
“I sit at my piano or keyboard at home and I just goof around with certain chords,” Rapa said. “I just mess with chords until I find something I like.”
Rapa said he has been composing a lot recently in order to submit portfolios as part of his college applications.
Jacob Browning ’14, who has known Rapa since freshman year when they played in the pit orchestra of the musical “Hairspray” together, said that his best quality is his determination.
“He has a certain mindset how something is going to be and he’s very determined to make sure everyone’s motivated to go with him,” Browning said. “It’s always a good place where he tries to take you … at the end it’s always a great product.”
Rapa said he appreciates almost all genres of music. Browning added that he is a fan of Eminem, which Rapa confirmed.
“I enjoy show tunes obviously because I’ve done a lot of musicals,” Rapa said. “But I enjoy most music other than hard-core rap, though I do like some Eminem songs … I’m actually a fan of country music because the artists are playing real instruments.”
Rapa will direct and compose music for the Student Theater’s upcoming Star Wars-based musical, which will premier in the spring.
Rapa said he appreciates almost all genres of music. Browning added that he is a fan of Eminem, which Rapa confirmed.
“I enjoy show tunes obviously because I’ve done a lot of musicals,” Rapa said. “But I enjoy most music other than hard-core rap, though I do like some Eminem songs … I’m actually a fan of country music because the artists are playing real instruments.”
Rapa will direct and compose music for the Student Theater’s upcoming Star Wars-based musical, which will premier in the spring.