Simsbury High Schoolers Host “Pre-Battle of the Bands” at the Simsbury Grange

On February 11th students from Simsbury High School hosted a “Pre-Battle of the Bands” at the Simsbury Grange. About 50 people came to see student-comprised bands Bedhead, Holiday, and Seventeen Below. The event was a prelude to the Simsbury High School Battle of the Bands competition held two weeks later.

Griffin Myslow, drummer of Seventeen Below, initially approached the Grange with his idea for the event. Several parent chaperones were enlisted to help orchestrate the evening.

Doors opened at 6 PM, and people filtered in, quickly adding to the excitement. By the time the first band took the stage there was a sizeable crowd of supportive peers ready to greet them enthusiastically. The bands gave amazing performances, yielding a responsive audience. Through the song covers, originals, guitar, drum, and vocal solos, the talent of the Simsbury High School students was very apparent. Needless to say, the only purpose the rows of chairs served was to hold purses and coats.

In preparation for the night, farmer Daren Hall of George Hall Farm, and a grange member, generously donated his time to plow a walkway in the fresh snow. At the sad expense of his Wacker machine (currently in the shop), attendees could safely walk from the parking lot to the Grange through the banks of snow created by the nor’easter a few days before. Grange members strung up lights along the walkway, which added to the festive atmosphere. To direct traffic, they also donned reflective vests and were supplied with a flashlight by the parents of the students.

At the end of the night, audience and band members folded up the chairs and restored the meeting room to order. “Thank you’s” were exchanged and the set was packed up. In all, it was a great night at the Simsbury Grange.