Bands to battle for cash prize
Third annual event offers competition, entertainment

By Chandler Vargas,
and Mary Hierholzer,
Writers
May 24, 2010

The third annual Battle of the Bands will feature five student bands competing for a cash prize, May 24.

The event, for which admission costs $5, will take place in Ground Zero at 7:30 p.m.

Battle of the Bands provides an evening of entertainment where groups are able to take advantage of the opportunity to perform for a crowd of students.

"This year it's really low-key and good for those who enjoy listening [to] and appreciating the music," senior Tatiana Fontes, who planned the event, said. "We have bands from the community, and not only from schools, so it should be diverse."

Last year, senior Aaron Kroeker performed with his band, Five Guys on a Bench, which won the competition.

With good memories from the experience, Kroeker looks forward to going onstage again this year with his fellow band members, seniors Ryan Swain and Daniel Hopper and sophomores David Casuga and Josh Hopper.

"I find it fun because it's a chance to perform with some close friends," Kroeker said. "We are all doing something we love, and it gives us a chance to be a little crazier than usual. That atmosphere is just plain fun, so the audience really enjoys it."

Josh, participating for the second time, views the event as a unique opportunity for all students to display their musical talents.

"Battle of the Bands is one of the best things high school students have put on," he said. "Anyone is able to show what they have and what they've been working on. Their long-time dream of being a rock star and playing for screaming people can finally come true."

Like Kroeker and Josh, Casuga also performed last year with Five Guys on a Bench and took home the cash prize. This year he anticipates playing songs by Switchfoot for the audience.

"Last year we won $250 and had an awesome time playing," Casuga said. "Battle of the Bands is a great opportunity to play music; it's an amazing experience. I'm really excited to play our part because the songs we chose have real meaning, and I'm pumped to play it for the crowd."

As his high school experience comes to an end, Swain sees Battle of the Bands as a celebratory event.

"I think it will be a fun experience," Swain said. "It's one last hurrah before college where I get to hang out with friends and play cool music."

For more information, e-mail coordinator Tatiana Fontes.