They may be high schoolers, but these kids put on a heck of a show. Darien High Schools Auditorium presented Bandjam 2010 Friday night, showcasing bands from around the state. The host school put up two bands if its own, starting with Stealing Free Samples, followed by Feedback.
Stealing Free Samples, made up of DHS students Joe Berkowitz, Will Trautmann, Stratton Powers, Andrew Eddie and Kaylyn Buckley, was the first of the two bands to play . They rocked the crowd with their renditions of Led Zeppelins Rock n Roll, followed by Guns N Roses Sweet Child O Mine. Charley Mercein, Marshall McGee, Connor Nackley and Dom Hansford, also known as Feedback, took the stage next, with the Red Hot Chili Peppers Under the Bridge and Jimi Hendrixs All Along the Watchtower.
McGee said his group entered the competition because they wanted represent the host school. Mercein, the groups lead vocalist and rhythm guitar player, said the band just kind of came together. We just liked to jam together, Mercein said. Then we started playing gigs, and things just kind of picked up from there.
There was originally to be a second competition this year, Bandjam East, scheduled at Norwich Free Academy. But that event fell through because of a number of problems sick band members, scheduling conflicts and others so bands from all over the state descended on Darien. Also at the show were Rocket, with students from Trumbull and Monroe, sayWhat? from Chester, Westhills Frogg, Twisted Union out of Haddam-Killingsworth High, and Midnight Snack from Manchester. The bands were judged by a professional panel on musical technique, creativity, tempo, harmony, group communication, stage presence, and "wow factor."
Metal band Frogg was the night's big winner, and the group's singer and its lead guitarist, Westhill siblings Minou and Sky Moon Clark, also took home individual awards for outstanding musicianship. Joining the Clarks were keyboardist Lisa Occhino and bass guitarist Andres Parrado, both Westhill seniors, drummer Joe Guarneri, from Stamford High, and Westport's Ryan Panny on guitar. They recieved a studio session at Stamford Recording and a $100 gift card to Sam Ash Music Stores, and they will play on the main Elm Street Stage at the International Festival of Arts and Ideas on the New Haven Green on June 26.
Dave Maloney, assistant executive director of the Connecticut Association of Schools, said his group started the annual competition last year to promote student music. They hope to expand the program to include two to three more regional contests. We think its shown promise, Maloney said. Its all about student creativity, original music, composing, and team building. He gave much of the credit to DHS music chair Rick Sadlon, the MVP of this whole thing.
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