On Saturday May 3, FHS partnered with WFYI to put on a benefit concert to raise money for the station. WFYI-FM is an Indianapolis radio station funded by the public for the public. They air on tv and are supported by PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) and NPR (National Public Radio). WFYI also airs on tv with shows on PBS. Proceeds earned from the benefit concert were donated to WFYI to help foster stories and local journalism.
This benefit concert, named “Spring Thing,” featured performances from the music and sound production FHS and Hamilton Southeastern class as a part of their FHS Day of Service activity. FHS also hosted some music acts from HSE’s class to accompany the concert. The concert took place in the FHS auditorium and hosted 12 combined acts.
Music and sound production is a class that students take over the course of 2 periods. The class consists of creating and learning how to produce music. Taking this class may widen aspiring students’ knowledge of music creation.
“It’s the easiest class ever but it’s also fun because you get to make music,” junior Luke Stringfield said. “You meet a lot of good people and you get to learn how to record.”
Along with presenting opportunities for students to create music and the students spread praise over their advisor.
“Mr. Masterson’s awesome,” senior Jaedyn Bemiller said. “He’s definitely been my favorite teacher the last few years I’ve had him.”
The HSE students also had a couple acts. Junior Adam Jacobs from HSE featured in several acts like Duck and Cover, Minnesota State big band and happy music band project co.orgcomgov LLC, his favorite he didn’t perform in being Cat Fight. Jacobs explained how he got into music.
“I’ve been doing music for about six years,” Jacobs said. “I attend this place called School of Rock in Fishers. [It’s a] great program. That’s how me and all of the band members in Duck and Cover… got into music.”
Music and sound production takes a lot of time to prepare for this benefit concert. Last year, the benefit concert took place on Day of Service. This year it took place the next Saturday after Day of Service on April 26. These students curated set lists and rehearsed to give their best show for the audience.
Senior Brennen Dedor releases music independently under the alias “1bren.” Dedor’s preparation for the event was different from some of the others since all of the songs were produced and written by him.
“The main thing I really struggled with was just remembering the lyrics funny enough,” Dedor said. “The songs dropped almost a year ago, but they were still kind of hard to remember while standing up on stage.”
Other performances consisted mainly of bands. There were many moving parts on the stage and behind the scenes. The stage featured chained fences and a smoke machine. The stage was set up for a great show, but some performers noted challenges with crafting their sound.
“Sometimes it’s rough to find time to practice or we’ll have certain parts that we just can’t perfectly get down,” Stringfield said. “Making the set list is always the hardest part though, because we’re never sure what songs we want to do.”
Although performers may have faced interpersonal challenges, the benefit concert ran through with a beach ball bouncing in the audience, an autograph station after every performance, and a mosh pit during the last song from New Conspiracy.
