Embedded Files
Website Redesign
Welcome To The Blog!
Welcome To The Blog!
This page is where our band members can publish their own articles about anything relating to us. From telling our musical journeys to analyzing the benefits of being a member of Soundbox 6, you'll learn and understand why we're the best.
The Road & Experience of the M3 MMI
The Road & Experience of the M3 MMI
It was February 11th, 2025, when I got the email to ask if I was able to perform at an Invitational in Abington, PA. After considering advice from my parents, 4 days later, I replied with a strong YES.
Of course, it was going to be a long road. Because of some issues, we were left to rehearse everything on our own. We had to figure out complicated parts to some songs and learn 2 new songs! One of those, we learned the day before the event!
But we knew we were going to do well, so we persisted and on Saturday, March 22nd, we got our rides to Abington Senior High School determined to be successful.
Quickly, however, we arrived to get an issue that would invoke fear for the rest of the day: we were the ONLY middle school band at the event, in comparison to a couple of high schools and the Temple University Rockin' Owls.
At first, we didn't mind until the clock struck noon, when all of us were split into "Jam Zones," places where members of different bands could freestyle or play a song they all knew. And that's where things all turned around as me and our vocalist, Abigail, exchanged glances of nervousness the entire time. Though, we did feel a bit better when the other musicians played "Zombie," which Abigail decided to also sing. Great performance, in my opinion.
After failing miserably in a couple of Kahoots on modern music history, we were then immediately sent to our chosen clinics. I will say, I enjoyed the presentations and managed to learn many things. I'd like to thank my two chosen clinicians, Dr. Sarah Gulish of West Chester University, and Mr. Ron DiSilvestro of RDS Music & Media. On behalf of the rest of the band, I would like to thank the other clinicians: Mr. Mitch Beer, Ms. Bo Rains, and Mr. Gerald Hayward.
We then went back into the Auditorium, where we would later perform, to catch a keynote speech by Ms. Eliza Hardy Jones. It was an incredible speech, showcasing her life and persistence through tough challenges, going from wanting to become a football star and coach to being a member of The War on Drugs.
After the keynote, we were given a 30-45 minute dinner break before the concert. And when we got back into the auditorium after dinner, oh boy, it was packed.
We were the 3rd act, so after the first act by the Rockin' Owls, we went backstage to set everything up. After getting refined, tuned, and alerting all backstage crew about our ideas, we waited patiently for our turn to go up.
And so it came, and as a member of the crew helped set up the keyboards for that desired sound, I felt ready, even though my legs were shaking the entire time we were performing.
After playing our four-song setlist (not telling, wait for the recording!), we went back into our assigned room to pick everything back up, and said bye to some bandmates, I went back into the auditorium to watch more. And I did so for like an hour and a half.
In the end, I felt honored to be performing at this event, and I hope you enjoyed the experience of me retelling as much as I could remember. Once again, I would like to thank everybody, from the clinicians to the entire M3ASD, to Mr. Kevin Longwill. I would like to remind everybody that persistence really is the key to make everything come true.
By Keyboardist Mason Lee 3/27/2025
By Keyboardist Mason Lee 3/27/2025
To be honest, I don't think that if I told myself this a couple years back, I would even consider it. Hey y'all, my name is Terry and I'm going to tell you my musical journey for Modern Band. It was Christmas of 2023, and I wanted an acoustic guitar more than ANYTHING. Guess what, looking as big as ever, my acoustic guitar was sitting under my gleaming Christmas tree. As I unwrapped it, I beamed with excitement to see an acoustic guitar. During the summer, my parents noted, "Why do you never use that guitar?" I was kind of appalled because, first of all, I use my guitar A LOT. I go and practice in my basement, Second of all, I mean yeah,,, Didn't use it too much, so now I had to come up with a plan.
April 2024: We are gathered to choose our fine arts in the Middle School Flex Space. As we look at the classes we can take, Modern Band comes up. As I think to myself, I say, Hmm... Maybe I can use my acoustic guitar there.. Next year, I'm here in a class for Modern Band with five other people! As we play our first song, Ghostbusters, we got our name from my friend Nick's amp. We call it Soundbox 6, since there were also 6 people in our class.
Terry Buatchi - Lead Electric Guitar
How The Modern Band Program Has Changed Us
How The Modern Band Program Has Changed Us
I'm the one who mainly runs this website. However, it took me a while to come up with this idea of a blog. For this first post, I'll take the time to recite how the Modern Band program has changed me from a standard piano player to a standard piano player and keyboardist in a school band.
It all started in the summer of 2023. I hadn't had a musical experience in years after I had to drop drums somewhere during the pre-pandemic to pandemic era. So my parents enrolled me in piano lessons as my new extracurricular. Over time, the joy of playing got to me and in the spring of 2024, everything changed.
So here I am, sitting in a flex space with the rest of my graduating class, teachers, and administration members, choosing my courses for 7th grade. That year, the modern band was introduced as an elective/fine art to count towards the requirement of music credits. At first, I avoided it as a choice due to being cautious about being required to perform in any after-school activities such as concerts. But after some consideration and advice, I switched from a general music course to modern band.
Now, I reflect on my choice and I'm proud of switching. We've got a great group and by the end of this year. we've got some incredible opportunities under our belt. Even though some of us will depart from the band in their transition to high school, we can always remember the memories and make way for a new generation of school musicians.
By Keyboardist Mason Lee
By Keyboardist Mason Lee
Page updated
Report abuse