Chelsea High School held its graduation on Sunday. Do you know what that means? YES YOU DO. That means an entire gym full of people had to suffer through the seemingly endless repetition of that infernal little slice of Pomp and Circumstance. Here, this photo might help you get the song in your head so you can properly enjoy this post.

You know who the real victims are in this tragedy? The poor high school musicians who have to PLAY that little nugget of music over and over again. Who will stand up for them?

Okay. Now that I’ve gotten my legally-required traditional graduation music complaint out of the way, let’s check out the rest of the graduation ceremony.

Some graduates put a great deal of effort into their caps.

Others take a simpler approach.

He wrote “Be The Change,” but when I look at it there’s a 50% chance I’m going to read it as “Bet He Change.” I’m sorry, man. It’s not your fault.

The impending retirement of superintendent David Killips has led to a substantial change in the high school’s administration. Julie Deppner is moving to another position in the district, making this her last graduation as CHS principal.

Both student speakers were entertaining.

The vocalist was senior Lottie Prenevost, someone who has made several prior appearances on this blog.

Deppner appreciated the performance.

Before Deppner read the high school phone book, Killips gave his last graduation speech as superintendent of Chelsea schools.

Hey, if you think about it, graduation is an act of diplomacy. (If you laughed at that, we can be friends.)

Some of the more memorable moments of graduation occur when faculty or school board members have the opportunity to give their own children their diplomas.

Other memorable moments occur when a graduate’s tassel achieves sentience and goes on the offensive.

As usual, at the end of the ceremony the graduates tested gravity.

I’d say gravity passed with flying colors, but gravity is all about keeping stuff down, so…gravity passed with walking colors.

Also as usual, after the ceremony the CHS commons was packed with graduates and their families.

Each year the Chelsea School District holds its Faculty and Friends Show to raise money for the Chelsea Music Boosters. The show is always entertaining. Always.

This year’s show started with the Swager boys.

Next was Rob Knopper. Mr Knopper is a CHS graduate who went on to study at Juilliard and is now a member of the MET Orchestra. Here’s an understatement: the man knows what he’s doing.

Next was a performance of “Big Girls Don’t Cry” by three…not-girls. This performance brought the house down.

The one in the middle is a county commissioner. You may remember him from last year, when he showed up dressed as a lion. Do we have some very likable public officials here in Washtenaw County? You bet we do.

Next was a clarinet performance.

The ever-popular North Creek Fiddlers then took the stage.

A performance from the musical Wicked followed.

Next, two of Chelsea’s excellent music teachers played a duet.

Until someone proves otherwise, I will continue to believe that the gentleman on the left, known locally as Jim Otto, is actually noted actor Hector Elizondo.

Next up was John Zainea.

If you’re curious about the music of Mr. Zainea, you can hear him here.

The Chelsea Chamber Players followed.

The Brian Brill Trio next confused the audience by being a trio of four people, bringing to mind Douglas Adams’ famed trilogy of five books.

That’s Mr. Brill on the piano. He’s an accomplished composer.

Concluding the show was The Quill, a group featuring CHS students.

The Chelsea Center for the Arts held a fundraiser. I couldn’t make it to the Friday night event — which is a real pity because it involved chocolate! — but I did make it to the Saturday night event: a concert featuring the Beach Fiddle Club, the Chelsea House Orchestra, Charlotte Prenevost, and the Royal Garden Trio.

First up was the Beach Fiddle Club.

If you’re not familiar with Chelsea, you might be wondering about the name of that group. Do they fiddle on the beach? No. Well, I mean, they might do that every now and again, but not on a regular basis. The group is composed of local middle school kids, and the name of that school is Beach Middle School. (The school was named after Dwight Beach, a Chelsea native who rose to the rank of general in the U.S. Army.)

Next up was the Chelsea House Orchestra.

Charlotte Prenevost joined CHO for a song.

To cap off the evening, the Royal Garden Trio took the stage. They first performed a few songs with some CHO members.

Charlotte Prenevost sang with the trio, too.

Then the trio had the stage all to itself.

The Royal Garden Trio is well worth checking out. Here, watch this video. You won’t regret it.