This article was written by Anna Anderson
When the camera finally cut after an intense, eight-hour filming session, a collective wave of exhaustion washed over the cast and crew. What began as a rigorous rehearsal process for their annual competition quickly transformed into a historic milestone for the high school’s music program.
From the Top (FTT) is our school acappella music group who made an amazing impact on our school. They decided to take on the challenge of creating a music video right after they won second place finals March 13, 2025 at the International Championship of High School A Cappella (ICHSA). For the students and staff involved in the creation of From the Top’s music video, that one day of filming was also months of choreography, complex vocal arrangements, and deep personal growth. This video was released September 18, 2026.
Jack Phillipson is the choir teacher who helped these students create this video. Phillipson was the main man behind the scenes, helping direct the group through this journey. Phillipson has a passion for music but an even bigger passion for his students. He has taken the time to get to know his students, and specifically their artistic creativity.
“I love them like my own kids,” Phillipson said.
When Phillipson envisions the vocal parts and choreography, he uses his knowledge of his students’ strengths to match up students with parts that seem made for them.
“I was just hanging out at home grooving on the piano a little bit and heard that connection. I was like, ‘Hmm, would this work?’ Phillipson said, “once I imagined Jada’s voice in that, it was a no brainer.”
Jada Smith is a senior who has been in From the Top for three years now. Smith was nervous about making a video. She had to build the confidence to film, knowing that people would be watching. Forming close connections with the people in her group was very important
“I formed such deep connections and I was close with everybody and that bond doesn’t truly go away,“ Smith said.
Sidney Pflug is a junior who joined From the Top last year. Her favorite part from the music video process was learning how to lip sync and the dance moves.
“I like focusing on how to make our expressions and the way we move on stage,” Pflug said. “[and] how to lip sync in a way that really tells the story of the set and what we’re trying to convey,” Pflug said.
Pflug expresses how the group’s inspiration came from a group called Capital Green at Michigan State University.
“They make a ton of music videos and a couple years ago they filmed their own music video on our stage. And that’s really cool,” Pflug said.
Micah Garber, a junior who joined FTT last year sees how he created new relationships with new people he didn’t think he would become friends with .
“There were a lot of people in the beginning of the year when I joined the group that I didn’t know that well. And then more time I spent with them, creating a relationship. It was really cool,” Garber said.
The community enjoys seeing familiar faces, including their family and friends on Youtube. The high school’s video has over 1,636 views. If you have yet to watch it, check them out here!
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