On Friday, Oct. 28, Archie Williams Performance Workshop (PW) bands put on their first performance of the year at the Archie Williams Little Theater. A total of seven mixed-grade bands performed, with energetic engaging performances drawing in large, friendly crowds. Director Mario Aparicio leads PW as they perform twice each grading period. 

The event requests a five-dollar donation from Archie Williams students and 10 dollars for adults and non-Archie Williams students. Students, as well as family and friends of band members, filled the theater during the hour-and-a-half-long show. The supportive crowd cheered for the bands, making for a lively performance atmosphere. Each band played three songs, two of which were announced and one that was a surprise song for the crowd.

Band #1 showcased sophomore Lilly Zucker on vocals, senior Colton Renga on vocals/bass, alongside guitarists sophomore Quinn Menke-French and freshman Judah Emanuel. Sophomore Gus Ziegler and junior Eli Chao supported on keys, freshman Everett Connell played the drums, and senior Orion Manley and junior Jamie Lapic did percussion.

They performed covers of “Where Is My Mind” by Pixies, and Radiohead’s hit song “High and Dry,” with strong vocals from Lilly. They finished their impressive set with a performance of “Panama” by Def Leppard. During equipment switches, Lilly emceed, engaging the crowd by inviting members of the audience to tell jokes on stage. 

Band #2 started their performance by launching into a cover of “California Dreamin’” by the Mamas and the Papas, with vocals by senior Stella Smoot and sophomores Lena Marcucci and Maggie Pierce. The band also featured freshman Henry Luck on guitar, freshman Lyla Barnhardt on guitar, freshman Scarlett Rankin on bass, and senior Zeke Cunningham on drums. 

The group was more folk/indie-focused than Band #1, which featured a more rock-and-roll vibe. They began with a rendition of “Payphone” by Maroon 5, complementing Maggie’s incredible vocals and Zeke’s talented drumming. Band #2 finished strong with a version of Amy Winehouse’s “Valerie,” sung by Stella. 

Band #3 first performed a cover of “Soul Meets Body” by Death Cab For Cutie, highlighting freshman vocalists Ace Rose and Rowan Sandusky alongside junior vocalist Julia Wise. Sophomore Cece Ficco played guitar and keys, and freshman Mason Barnhardt played bass, while Aparicio played drums. They followed with a version of “A-Punk” by Vampire Weekend. They finished their charismatic set off strong with a performance of the famous Madonna hit, “Like A Prayer.”

In Band #4, freshmen Gemma Prescutti and Ramona Helzberg joined junior Ivy White on vocals, juniors Fin Donnelly and Maddie Bushnell played bass, junior Teo Donnelly played the keys, and junior Milo Brown was on drums. They kicked off their set with “You Make Loving Fun” by Fleetwood Mac and followed it with a cover of “Who’s Crying Now” by Journey. They ended with an impressive rendition of the Eagles’ “Heartache Tonight,” and exited the stage to applause from the crowd.

Band #5 featured senior Stella Berlin and freshman Alexis Hinsdale on vocals, sophomore Leia Lavie on guitar, freshman Noya Morquecho and freshman Reid Terry on bass, and freshman Julian Silver on drums. They started with an appealing cover of “Linger” by the Cranberries, followed by a version of Radiohead’s “Blackstar.” They ended with “Message in a Bottle” by The Police. 

Band #6 was comprised of singers sophomore Petra Betti and senior Stella Gregor, junior guitarists Ben Bergen and Fin Gleason, junior Mason O’byrne on bass, and sophomore Alex Casey and senior Ellis Lynch on drums. They began with a dynamic performance of Alanis Morissette’s “You Oughta Know,” followed by Shania Twain’s “Come On Over” and ending with a mashup of James Gang’s “Funk 49” and Led Zeppelin’s “Bring it on Home.”

Band #7’s band members were nearly all seniors, with the exception of one junior. The final band featured junior singer Hanna Janson alongside vocalist Kalliope Parish, guitarists Elliott Garneau and Elijah Galland, bassist Noah Casey, and drummer Zeke Cunningham. Bringing skill and confidence to the room as they entered, their first song was a unique and well-executed rendition of “The Trees” by Rush. They followed it up with “Get the Funk Out” by Extreme. Band #7 closed out the night with Michael Jackson’s classic “Thriller.”

PW’s live concert has a wide display of music for students, friends, and family to enjoy. Each band showed off their impressive musical abilities through a variety of genres, from classic rock to 70’s folk, leaving the audience with a great impression of the class. The event is very fun and earns an overall four and a half out of five feather rating. PW’s next concerts will take place Dec. 13 and 14 at 7 p.m.