Reflections from some of the GEIS Rock Band members

Charlie Moore, Rm 20

Rock Band Experience.

I was sitting in the auditorium, watching, waiting. I was only a year 6 at the time, but I was so excited to go to GEIS next year. I looked around at the other students on their orientation day. They looked as though they felt the same way as me: out of their depth, but playing it cool. I didn’t know what I wanted to do at GEIS; I didn’t know what would be achievable within the two years. I also didn’t have time to think more about it, because some students were setting up their instruments on the auditorium floor. The lights faded. Instantly, I was watching GEIS’ very own Rock Band performing right in front of me! The music washed over us making us forget where we were. It was loud and it was definitely rock music. Awesome! The band members looked like they were having the best time performing like that, it just made me wonder…

Being a member of the rock band has been so cool, an experience I will always remember. I learnt so many new skills and made some new friends joining the band in Year 7 and I couldn’t wait to expand on that this year. We learn new pieces of music together with the rest of the band, and really test and improve our performing and playing skills. Practices with Mr Johnson are great, and his weird but wonderful ability to name bands I have never heard of, right out of the blue, will never cease to amaze me. You also learn the practical stuff of being in a band - the year 8s set up the instruments, the year 7s take them down at the end of their practise. I'm still getting the hang of which plugs to plug and which switches to switch, but I am getting there.

We are performing soon, and we will really need to crack down on our current songs. Performances are honestly the highlight of being in the Rock Band. I remember back to when we did our first performance. We were standing in the auditorium at lunchtime, not really sure if anyone would even turn up at all. Luckily, they did.

We stared as students piled through, finding seats amongst the growing chaos. I could feel my nervousness building, but I quickly realised that the whole lunchtime performance idea had created a really cool, fun vibe and people were actually enjoying the songs. All my good friends were there, grinning at me. The keyboard loomed in front of me, waiting to be played. Suddenly, we were performing. I breathed in as we got closer and closer to the tricky chorus. Could I do it? I wasn’t sure, but I had practised it so many times, I had to try…

And it went perfectly! It was such a great feeling - working on something together, the singers, the drums, guitar and keys - everyone did their bit. The entire band was happy. I can’t wait to do more of that this year. If you’re like me, sitting there on your orientation day, have some music skills you want to build on, watching the bands perform, take my advice: just try it out. Do your best. You never know what might happen. You might end up in the band.

Della Ngarotata, Rm 25

Rock Band Experience 

Auditioning for the rock band was pretty scary but overall really exciting because it was a new singing opportunity for me to do, which I love. We are learning some amazing songs and soon we might be able to perform some! I love being in a group of such kind and funny people that know how to rock out just like me.  Our tutor, Mr Kevin Johnson, helps us heaps and really makes sure we do our best. Being in the school production last year really helped me get the confidence to audition for the Rock Band and I really enjoy it. I can't wait for the rest of the year to come!

Ollie Carson, Yr 7, Rm 26

I had been looking forward to auditioning for the rock band ever since I heard about it at the G.E.I.S open evening. When the day came to audition, I felt nervous but Mr Johnson and the other students who were auditioning seemed really friendly and kind, which made me feel better. I’m so glad that I overcame my nerves because it was exciting to find out that I had been successful. I find, when I play guitar with other people, it is much more enjoyable than playing by myself. The atmosphere of being part of a band and keeping time with the other players helps to make me a better musician and makes the music feel more powerful. Overall the G.E.I.S rock band is a fantastic experience, I can’t wait to do our first live performance in a couple of weeks’ time.

Louis de Biasio, Yr 7, Rm 15

Signing up for the year 7 rock band was a great decision. It involved me more in school activities, and is a fun group to be in. Mr Johnson is a great teacher because he always makes the practices more enjoyable with his antics. I think that the school Rock Band is a great opportunity to get involved in, and I greatly enjoy it.