The Laguna Blanca Stage Band, the high school’s advanced performance group, played its first gig of the 2014- 2015 year at the Jogathon Barbecue.
The group played two sets filled with funk, jazz, rock ‘n’ roll and blues.
Losing veteran member Conrad Perry to graduation last year has had a significant impact on the group’s focus of music.
Perry played lead saxophone for the Stage Band for three years, performing the primary melodic lines
for many of the group’s arrangements.
“We had a nice first set and really started jamming in our second set. I think the crowd enjoyed the background music, which is really what matters most,” said vocalist Travis Fristoe ‘16.
It has been a collaborative effort this year to replace Perry. The lead guitarists, Ryan Chiment ’15 and John Ligon ‘15, and lead vocalists, Fristoe and Joan Curran ‘17, have taken on more melodic leading parts in the songs. The additions of Ben Tolan ‘15 (flute/saxophone) and Connor Curran ’15 (keyboard) have also aided the band in transitioning from last year’s style and emphasis. Justin Bollag ’15 enters his third year with the band holding down the rhythm line on the drums. The Stage Band has one
more scheduled performance for the first semester in the Winter Performing Arts Revue on Dec. 10.
The first week of November ended with an exhibition of music from various groups at the school.
Music Instructor Michael Kohan’s numerous classes performed for the middle and high schools during the Thursday Assembly.
The sixth grade band, named “Operation 6,” opened the assembly performance with an arrangement of David Guetta’s “Titanium.”
The fifth grade band, named “The Stage Rebels,” followed with Nico & Vinz’s pop-hit “Am I Wrong.”
Next up were the high school groups.
The Upper School Band performed two songs: “Livin’ On A Prayer” and “More Than a Feeling.” Lastly, the Stage Band serenaded the crowd with the jazz tune “A Walk to Remember” by Vulfpek and Bobby Hebb’s ‘60s hit single “Sunny” with vocals by Travis Fristoe.
The next day, seventh grader Torri McMullin’s band “Awkward” held a lunch-time performance was accompanied by a sale of In- N-Out Burger products, with proceeds going to the Team Samo fund, which provides scholarships for foster kids and low-income families to attend RockShop year-round music lessons and summer camps.