On one warm spring Saturday, six students and two faculty members joined forces to put on a concert which they named Rock the Circle, and rock they did; set on the front steps of the Schoolhouse, they played Hendrix, the Who, the Rolling Stones, Prince, Cream, and everything in between to an enthusiastic crowd of...

Rock Band Rocks the Circle

June 5, 2016

Will Bienstock ’16

Band rocks the Circle.

Angus Warren ’16, who organized the event, sang, and played both bass and guitar says that he had held the idea for a concert from the moment he arrived here. He names a concert by a legendary Groton band, the Johnson Five, as an influence: “I don’t remember much of it, but I recall playing drums for most of the set and then being called to play solo guitar on the last song and literally freezing up– it was so cold and I had not warmed up at all. That was such a fun show to play, and I’ve always wanted to do it again.” As for the group’s formation, he simply notes that this year marks the “confluence of six top-notch musicians who also all happen to get along really well and to have comparable taste in music.” According to Angus, the set list evolved by chance – a few songs were thrown out as possibilities, and songs were added and removed as the group saw fit until they reached a final set list. “We were totally electric, and I can’t imagine having done it with any other group of guys.”

The group distributed posters mimicking those of famous rock bands around the school to great effect: a large and excited crowd turned out to watch the band perform. All enjoyed the show greatly. Lily Cratsley ’19 says that her favorite part of the performance was watching the musicians: “You could see the passion and happiness that comes to them by playing together. This energy is infectious.”

Tom Lamont, a history teacher by profession, played guitar and drums with the group. He, as the other band members, regards music as a formative experience of his life: “Music is important because like so many other pursuits in the arts, athletics, and academics, it allows individuals, as well as society, to find joy and fulfillment in self-expression, whether that expression is done alone or collaboratively.” With the school year drawing to a close, all six of the seniors in the band will soon head in their different ways. Mr. Lamont looks back fondly on the time he spent playing with the band: “The sixth formers that I have had the pleasure of playing with for the past few years are an amazing group,” he says. “They are not only extraordinarily talented musicians, but they are also wonderful people whose humility and congeniality makes them exceptionally fun to play with.”

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