DANVILLE – Five students are making music at Danville High School, but not in the usual way.
The group – two seniors and three sophomores – are enrolled in Modern Band, a first-year elective class taught by vocal music teacher Kami Owen. The range of study encompasses songwriting and exploration of different music genres.
Owen, who also teaches piano and guitar classes – some for college credit – describes Modern Band as “kind of a Level 2 for piano, guitar and choir students.”
“This kind of class is being offered in larger schools, but it is unique to most smaller schools like ours,” Owen said. “Students expand their music skills plus learn communication and collaboration.
“They sometimes disagree on lyrics and genres – actually, often disagree – then learn how to compromise.”
The group, which decided on “Grapefruit” as their band name, includes:
– Sophomore Bebo Adams, bass guitar
– Sophomore Aine McCardel, vocalist
– Sophomore Steven Rainer, electric guitar
– Senior Elisa Lybarger, keyboard
– Senior Preston Owen, drum kit (he’s Kami’s son)
The five had different reasons for coming together in Modern Band.
“I like making music and playing with a group of people,” Rainer said. “I plan to major in music in college.”
McCardel, who sings and has taken guitar and theater classes, also is looking beyond high school.
“I want to be a singer and songwriter. I think this class will help with my future,” she said.
Adams, the group’s third sophomore, also plays trumpet in the concert and marching bands.
“I needed further instruction in music. I believe this class will give me that,” he said.
Senior Elisa Lybarger’s focus is on a lifelong enjoyment of music.
“My emphasis is mainly on piano. I want to take a piano class next semester,” she said. “I plan to help with our family business after graduation.
“Music will always be in my future for my own enjoyment.”
Fellow senior Owen,, who plays guitar and drums, was looking for challenges.
“I wanted to test my abilities in music and songwriting. I was looking for challengers in this class for my own personal growth,” he said.
The group has written and recorded “The Milk Song,” a dark humor composition in an indie rock genre. Indie rock, a subgenre of rock music, is known for its raw and unpolished sound.
They also developed instrumentation for “The Talking Dog” in a blues genre, then asked teacher Hunter Webster’s ninth-grade honors language arts class to suggest the lyrics.
Opinions among the five can vary greatly as they work to develop their music.
“We come up with a very different group of ideas then have to combine those ideas,” Rainer said.
Preston Owen sees the disagreements as a positive.
“We come up with better ideas when we disagree,” he said.
Grapefruit also has recorded covers – performances by musicians other than the original performers – of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama” and Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire.”
The group played at the elementary school’s fall festival and has been asked to perform at an upcoming junior high dance.
“These kids make my job easy. They just want to make music all the time,” Owen said. “And they have been getting positive feedback.”
High school Spanish teacher Mikalyn Huffman is Grapefruit’s self-described No. 1 fan.
“They are amazing. They are smart and creative,” she said. “I really enjoy their music.”
