High school musicians compete for prizes, prestige at Saturday
concert
The Battle of the Bands is set for Feb. 27, in the auditorium at
San Benito High School from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The first spark of Battle of the Bands came from a few
passionate students who wanted to have competitive concerts.
High school musicians compete for prizes, prestige at Saturday concert
The Battle of the Bands is set for Feb. 27, in the auditorium at San Benito High School from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The first spark of Battle of the Bands came from a few passionate students who wanted to have competitive concerts.
“At first, I didn’t like the idea of competitions, because there was no way I could judge the musicians,” said Tom Rooth, the Rock Guitar Club advisor and a San Benito High School English teacher. “It just wouldn’t feel right. Juan Robledo suggested that I recruit judges from the faculty, and it developed from there.”
This year, there will be seven bands performing, but in previous years there were a lot more.
“The most we’ve ever had at a concert was 13 and that was too many,” Rooth said. “I’ve decided the upper limit is ten, and that’s probably too many, still. This Saturday we have seven bands, which feels just right.”
Some of the musicians that participate in the Battle of the Bands start out in Rooth’s Rock Guitar Club, while others show up and show off their skills.
“It’s interesting,” Rooth said. “Some of them start out in the club as beginners. Others I never see except at concerts because they already have skills. They find each other out in the wide world of Hollister musicians, and create their own bands.”
Unlike playing at a Benefit Concert, participants in Battle of the Bands are required to play original music.
“Only original music can be performed at a Battle,” Rooth said. “For Benefit Concerts, covers are welcome. Some bands get used to playing Benefit Concerts first, then step up to battle the next year.”
Like the student musicians, Rooth was involved in a few bands in High School.
“I was in a few bands, sure,” he said. “I started to play guitar in high school as a way to meet girls, and I fell in love with music.”
For a Battle of the Bands competition, rock will never go out of style.
“The bands always play rock, never rap or hip hop,” Rooth said. “The rock ranges from new styles of alternative to updated classic to several types of heavy metal to rock fusion.”
The experience of the Battle definitely pays off, especially if the musicians are good.
“There is $100 first prize, a $75 second prize, a $50 third including gift cards for Guitar Center in Gilroy…At least two thirds of the bands go on to play gigs after the battle, probably more.”
The Battle is a good time, and a great learning experience, but more importantly it could be a step on the right path toward a musician’s future.
“I cannot think of anything more important in our community than to support young people’s arts in all forms – painting, sculpting, performing arts, music, the whole gamut,” Rooth said. “I know more than five young people who work at Guitar Center in Gilroy today, and a dozen others who perform regularly in various venues.”
