Mt. Hope High School Rocks Out During Battle of the Bands

Crowds of students, parents, and faculty ushered into the auditorium on Thursday night to cheer on their peers for their musical talents at the 2011 Battle of the Bands competition.  The lines wrapped around the small hallway entrance and outside the door as residents anxiously awaited their turn in line to purchase tickets and proceed to find good seating inside the auditorium. The ushers followed the last of the crowd inside and closed the double doors behind them.  The lights slowly dimmed to black as students scurried to take their seats.  A spot light projected on stage as one of the hosts, Mike Richards, took center stage and welcomed the crowd to the event.  The second emcee joined his co-host on stage in an amusing fashion, as the theme song to the TV show The Price is Right played in the background.  After explaining a short background to the seven bands playing, the lights dimmed and the first band, named Relentless, took center stage and performed.

"This event is usually put together by the senior class every year," said Tom Hanson, lead singer of Relentless.  "I think its the best of the year, and usually has the largest attendance."

The fans cheered and yelled out names of their friends performing from their seats after every performance. Derek Burke performed a solo as the second act, followed by a performance from the band called Genetic Violence.  Intermission then arrived, and students filed out to the entranceway once again to purchase candy and snacks from the concession table set up near the door.

The crowds favorite seemed to be Bad Omen, who opened the second half of the show.  Three final acts followed; Roadside Attraction, Corrupt Authority, and 1st Time Around.  One student in particular, Nolan Rodrigues, a member of the band Bad Omen, really took on the leadership role and helped to pull the whole event together Thursday night.

"Basically, a few weeks ago when the original battle of the bands was scheduled, a bunch of the bands couldn't make it so they had to cancel," said Rodrigues.  "So I got really involved with it, with the senior advisors, and other teachers here at school."

"I think all the bands this year have a great shot at winning," said Brad Vaccaro.  "Were just playing to have fun though, winning would just be a perk."

All in all, the event was a great success.  The senior class raised a whopping $1,028 from the event, which will help fulfill class dues for upcoming senior events.  The first place winners were members of the band Bad Omen-Nolan Rodrigues, Kenny Mignacco, Nathan Pacheco, Ryan Burke, and Wyatt Bullard.  Second place winners were members of the band 1st Time Around-Tom Hanson, Tyler Falcoa, Ryan Burke, and Ryan Falcoa.  Third place winners included members of the band Roadside Attraction-Adam Cabral, Austin Noon, Mike Conlon, and Duncan MacDougall. 

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