Facebook
Google
Seniors Taylor Yozwiak and Patrick Cristaldi jam with their band, Blowing the Lead. (Photo Courtesty of Zack Brittingham)
Staff Reporter
An event to prove musical ability. An event to witness friends in their talent and harmonious grace. An event to mark the sounds of spring. This event was Atholton's spring coffeehouse: Duck Jam '09.
From six o' clock sharp to a pinch past nine on April 22, school musicians and bands filled the air as those in attendance enjoyed light refreshments and baked goods. Eight groups, ranging from soloists to jazz quartets to rock bands, performed at the coffeehouse.
"Although there is already a fall coffeehouse done by the Future Business Leaders of America every year," said Class of 2010 President Melia Stuppy, "we wanted to give Atholton musicians more chances to perform for their peers, and the student body tends to really enjoy coffeehouses."
Although set to take place in the Atholton courtyard - home to the ducks who frequent Atholton in the spring - weather pushed Duck Jam '09 into the senior cafeteria, the location of FBLA's fall coffeehouse.
All of the event's profits go directly to the school. As Duck Jam '09 was created and run by the 2010 Class Board, the funds earned went directly to the coffers of the student organization, which used this money to supplement a fraction of prom expenses.
The event marked the return of the spring coffeehouse, an event student leaders believe holds great value for the school. "Atholton has had spring coffeehouses in the past, but no one has organized one in at least two years," said Stuppy. We really wanted to bring it back. We were looking for unique, memorable performances which fit the 'chill' atmosphere."
Starting off at 6 pm, Bros and Cons took the stage. The band is made up of Freshmen Louis Celano, Donovan Peterson, Jordan Lagana, Albert Nam, and Clarksville Middle School student Michael Kaddingan. Performing all-original material and a rendition of Britney Spears' "Circus", the Bros and Cons opened the coffeehouse with a poppy, unique style.
After their set, Senior David Jung came on to play a solo piano act. Dedicating the song to an unknown girl that impacted his life overseas, Jung began to cover Bryan Adams' famous track, "Wherever You Go."
Jung was followed by solo musician Caroline White, a sophomore, performed, expertly covering "First Day of My Life" by Bright Eyes and "Cue the Sun" by Daphne Loves Derby. She also played two original songs.
As soon as White's acoustic set ended, Blowing the Lead took the stage, consisting of Seniors Patrick Cristaldi, Taylor Yozwiak, Thomas Rados, and Joey Swanson. Invigorating the audience with a reggae-infused melody with famous commercial jingles and rap-turned-rock songs, the band had time to spare. Jokingly taking requests, Cristaldi then covered Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours" - at the wish of Sophomore Harold Moijueh. Inviting him to the stage, front man Cristaldi allowed Moijueh to sing with him and dance, much to the pleasure of the laughing crowd.
Towards the second half of the night, another big name in the local music scene, the Greenhaus Effect, performed. The band consisted of Seniors Adam Grahn, Yozwiak, and Cristaldi. Playing original music and a cover of Third Eye Blind's "Semi-Charmed Life," the Greenhaus Effect managed to get the crowd to sing-along.
As soon as the Greenhaus Effect ended their set, Duck Jam crewmembers began to set up for the next act, the jazz quartet Vanilla Jams. Profiled in the second issue of The Raider Review, the quartet is comprised of seniors Nick Donohue, Jon Engelberg, and Yozwiak, in addition to Junior Chris Marks. Playing original songs with catchy titles like "Red Clay" and "Autumn Leaves," Vanilla Jams kept the scene upbeat and ended their set with a cover of John Coltrane's "Mr. P.C."
Senior Harrison Nowalk followed. Playing original ska-influenced acoustic guitar, Nowalk received many hearty, good-natured laughs from the crowd because of his story telling, which helped explain the true meaning behind his music.
The Elizabeths were the last act of the night. Consisting of Atholton Senior Dan Windsor, Wilde Lake Senior Sam Ray, and Jeff Reichert and Luagh Malone of Mount Hebron, the band finished the night with original, collectively written material. The final two songs were a two-part saga. Windsor explained that he wrote one while he was in a relationship with a girl, and the other during the post-break up.
Duck Jam '09 was a successful event that the Class of 2010 SGA hopes to continue next year.
"If there is only one coffeehouse at the school each year, we aren't giving our talented students enough opportunity to perform for their peers," Stuppy explained. "We really just wanted to give back to the school by supporting Atholton musicians."
