George Rockington

Reporter: Sophia Zachariah

Editor: Kara Hong

The George Rockington Band is getting ready to place once again. Recently after having a performance at Ridgewood High School, The members of George Rockington are preparing to play at their very own, George Washington Middle School. All the proceeds will go to Camp Sunshine/Camp Snowflake. 

While only being a middle school band for George Washington Middle School, the instrument choices vary from guitars to their own voices. 

11 students from GWMS like 7th grader Elijah Perlman, 8th grader Ernie Arnt-Schemmel, 8th Grader Max Doy, 8th grader Anderson Joseph, and many more, perform, but the band also includes some of the school faculty. 

Some teachers include, 7th Grade Social Studies teacher who is also the lead singer of the band, Christopher Watkins, Latin teacher who plays guitar, bass, and keyboard, Andrew Couch, 8th grade math teacher Mr. Beatrice who plays guitar and bass, Mr. Feely who plays drums, and the High School football coach, and Coach Maxwell, who plays guitar and bass as well. 

Mr. Watkins says, “For the most part, we are playing more well-known songs or songs that other people will know.” He continues to say how a big portion of the songs they choose are songs that the student members wanted to play and perform. 

The music played is mainly covers of songs, but they also add in their own originals. For this year's performance they are playing all covers from other bands. For example Owl City, Nirvana, Metallica, etc. 

Lucia Quinones, a 7th grade Godwin student, who is planning to see the concert states, “(I’m excited because) The teachers from our school are singing or are just in the band, and I know that some of my (teachers) are in it.” 

Over the course of the band's practices, the students mainly practiced about once every other week to let the faculty members of the band have their own practices, but recently, they started practicing together once, every week. 

“We’re all excited but nervous (for the concert), even the teachers. But sometimes it doesn’t matter how nervous you are, you just have to do it.” states 7th grade singer in the band, Elijah Perlman, “We’ve done a lot of work and I have a feeling that we are going to do great.”

The concert is projected to be held in George Washington Middle School’s Auditorium during period 7 at 2:00 p.m. on June 9 and at 7:00 p.m. on June 16.