Spring Break
Record number of bands come out for fourth annual Battle of the Bands
Jancy Nightingale
Issue date: 11/5/09 Section: Arts
Ten campus bands are gearing up to play in this year's Battle of the Bands. Two of them won't make it past the auditions.
The fourth annual Battle of the Bands, co-hosted by Phi Mu Alpha and Pi Beta Phi, will be held Nov. 14. And this year for the first time due to time constraints and lots of bands signing up they'll have to audition. Senior and president of Phi Mu Alpha Brandon Carmack said this is the first time so many bands have signed up.
"It's becoming a more established event, and the advertising has been especially well done," he said.
Battle of the Bands coordinator, junior Isaac Johnson said people anticipate Battle of the Bands and will even form bands just to be able to play in the event.
Junior Megan Huening, president of Pi Beta Phi, agreed.
"It's a great opportunity for bands to play for an energetic and supportive crowd," she said. Sophomore Forrest Kelly, violinist and electric mandolin player of The Gentiles, a self-described indie alternative rock band, said they formed the band for fun and have played in both coffee houses this year. Kelly said they weren't ready for Battle of the Bands last year. Now, the time has come.
"It's something that demonstrates how good you," he said. "We're looking forward to it."
The Gentiles practice once or twice a week, but this week they've stepped it up to three to four times, perfecting the one song that could make or break them in auditions. If they advance, Kelly said they'll cover Cake, Neil Young, Radiohead - and maybe throw in a remix.
Auditions will be held this Saturday from 12 to 2:30 p.m. with members of Phi Mu Alpha judging the competition to determine the eight bands to go to battle. Even established bands on campus that have participated in the past will be required to audition.
"For the sake of equality of opportunity, we'll require that all bands audition," Carmack said.
Johnson said having everyone audition was the only fair way. Johnson said he is excited for auditions since they will help increase the quality of the battle and cut down on time.
"Ultimately it will result in less work on the day of the battle," he said.
Apart from the musical aspect of Battle of the Bands, Huening said other preparations for the philanthropic event are being coordinated by Pi Beta Phi's vice president of philanthropy and senior, Emily Plodzik, who also acts as chairman of the philanthropy committee, which collects raffle prizes and helps organize the event.
All proceeds for the event benefit Pi Beta Phi's national philanthropy First Book literacy program and Reading Middle School's music program.
The fourth annual Battle of the Bands, co-hosted by Phi Mu Alpha and Pi Beta Phi, will be held Nov. 14. And this year for the first time due to time constraints and lots of bands signing up they'll have to audition. Senior and president of Phi Mu Alpha Brandon Carmack said this is the first time so many bands have signed up.
"It's becoming a more established event, and the advertising has been especially well done," he said.
Battle of the Bands coordinator, junior Isaac Johnson said people anticipate Battle of the Bands and will even form bands just to be able to play in the event.
Junior Megan Huening, president of Pi Beta Phi, agreed.
"It's a great opportunity for bands to play for an energetic and supportive crowd," she said. Sophomore Forrest Kelly, violinist and electric mandolin player of The Gentiles, a self-described indie alternative rock band, said they formed the band for fun and have played in both coffee houses this year. Kelly said they weren't ready for Battle of the Bands last year. Now, the time has come.
"It's something that demonstrates how good you," he said. "We're looking forward to it."
The Gentiles practice once or twice a week, but this week they've stepped it up to three to four times, perfecting the one song that could make or break them in auditions. If they advance, Kelly said they'll cover Cake, Neil Young, Radiohead - and maybe throw in a remix.
Auditions will be held this Saturday from 12 to 2:30 p.m. with members of Phi Mu Alpha judging the competition to determine the eight bands to go to battle. Even established bands on campus that have participated in the past will be required to audition.
"For the sake of equality of opportunity, we'll require that all bands audition," Carmack said.
Johnson said having everyone audition was the only fair way. Johnson said he is excited for auditions since they will help increase the quality of the battle and cut down on time.
"Ultimately it will result in less work on the day of the battle," he said.
Apart from the musical aspect of Battle of the Bands, Huening said other preparations for the philanthropic event are being coordinated by Pi Beta Phi's vice president of philanthropy and senior, Emily Plodzik, who also acts as chairman of the philanthropy committee, which collects raffle prizes and helps organize the event.
All proceeds for the event benefit Pi Beta Phi's national philanthropy First Book literacy program and Reading Middle School's music program.
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