Making Music on the Big H

Individuals and bands played songs spanning across multiple decades and different genres, all while putting their own twists on the renditions. “The bands were all really talented, and the coolest thing was that they all came from the Hopkins community...that added even more to the spirit of the whole event,” said Leah Miller ’20.

Caitlin Gilroy ’18, a head of Triple Trio, one of  Hopkins’ two female a cappella groups, opened the night by singing “Ivy,” by Frank Ocean, with Charles Paraiso ’18 on the guitar. “It can be nerve racking in the beginning but if it is something you love to do, it feels like you are sharing your passion and love of music when you perform,” Gilroy said. She later joined Jeff Basta ’18 for a performance of their original song, “Broken Heart,” which they wrote during their junior year.

Meggie Czepiel ’20 followed with another original, titled “Beautiful,” then with an acoustic rendition of “Blank Space,” by Taylor Swift. Although she has played at open-mics before, this was her first time singing in front of a predominantly young audience.  “It was really nice to get to perform for people my age, and I found that people were extremely supportive and genuinely happy for me,” noted Czepiel. 

Later in the night, a band made up of musicians from the Senior Class performed five songs by classic-rock artists like Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones. The group, who call themselves Point 8, consists of Jonah Norwitt ’18, Bella Feder ’18, Declan Goulding ’18, and Steve Prinz ’18. Norwitt said that he had played with Prinz and Goulding before for their own entertainment. “Flash forward to this year and we decided to form a band for the event and Steve knew Bella sings, so we got her. It was pretty impromptu but it was fun,” said Norwitt. 

The renowned Teacher Band finally took the stage for the last show of the night. The Teacher Band is made up of musically-inclined teachers and staff from all parts of the campus. “[Teacher Band] plays [Back to School Bash] by ‘Garage Band Rules:’ each performer calls a song, and we agree to play all the calls,” said English teacher and bass guitarist Ian Melchinger.

Back to School Bash provided first-time and expert performers alike a chance to showcase their unique talents to  Hopkins students, faculty and staff. “The audience brought great energy and spirit: they appreciate a fly disco groove and a five-part vocal harmony in equal measure, and they’re willing to cheer music they don’t listen to every day. They really supported our weirdness, and I treasure that,” remarked Melchinger.