Sophomore Aaron Davidoff is a member of the rising band Peach Funk, along with fellow sophomores Ben Korsh and Josh Harlow. After taking the summer off from practicing, Davidoff and his band made a resolution to recommit to the band and recently played live at Harvest Fair in Newton Center. Davidoff said that juggling a practice schedule and schoolwork was manageable, and this new commitment has made the band’s revival a success.
Band members’ prioritization, dedication and compatibility all have different effects on the successes and failures of high school bands.
Senior Ben Weissman, a member of the South band Pajammin,’ contributes a large amount of time to his band. "With school it’s difficult, but somehow, we always find time [to practice]," Weissman said.
Senior Eric Phillips and junior Pat Walsh have both been members of a series of bands over the past several years. Both Phillips and Walsh prioritize school before their bands. "It’s more like my practicing interferes with my schoolwork," Walsh said. Phillips, a member of two bands and a solo artist, believes there are many factors that contribute to the success of a music group. "Prioritizing music is the only way to succeed as a band," he said.
A member of different bands since middle school, Walsh has seen the rise and fall of many.
Phillips has also been a member of bands that were together for years and others that fell apart relatively quickly.
Walsh said he feels that a certain chemistry is necessary for a band to have lasting success. He said that all members must be dedicated, passionate and contribute to the band.
"Eventually, what happens is people learn how to play with one another, and it works with some groups of people and for others it doesn't," he said.
Some bands lack initiative from the start. Junior Cooper McDonald was a member of a band that broke up last year, even though a lack of practice time wasn’t a problem. “Homework rarely affected our playing time, because we gathered outside once a week for only a few hours,” he said. "It was rather easy to move around the stress of homework and make time for the band. But after a while, we realized that nobody particularly wanted to do anything.”
Bands are most successful when they make music that they enjoy. “I've tried to make music that sounds unique and original, which hasn't really worked out too well, but I hope it will with these two bands,” Phillips said.
