Totally Cool!

!ere are some really cool sounds coming out of the Newark High School band room a"er school lets out a couple of a"ernoons a week. It’s the upbeat music of “Downbeat,” the 15-member group of top notch NHS instrumental and vocal musicians that began making music together when school started in September.

“Downbeat” is the brainchild of Bob Humphrey, instrumental music teacher at Newark High School who also directs the NHS Jazz Band, Concert Band, Wind Ensemble and Marching Band. And he’s totally #ne with the additional directing responsibilities and clearly enjoying it as much as the “Downbeat” musicians. “It’s a ton of fun,” Humphrey raved in his o$ce October 17th while the musicians, who became members of the group a"er auditioning, were warming up before rehearsal in the band room. “!ey’re awesome. !ey work very hard. We’re only six weeks into this and they’re already performing 45 minutes worth of music.” Members of the multi-talented “Downbeat”group include: • Abigail Belliveau (grade 11) _ bass guitar, electric guitar, !ute, baritone and vocals. • Anna Bouwens (grade 10) _ electric guitar, piano, !ute and vocals.

• Megan Cauwels (grade 12) _ vocals and percussion. • Nick Cepulo (grade 12) _ drum set, auxiliary percussion and vocals. • Alexander Collom (grade 11) _ trombone, bass guitar and vocals.

• Amanda Colombo (grade 11) _ bari sax, tenor sax and vocals.• Emma Correia (grade 11) _ alto sax, soprano sax and vocals.• Joseph Malach (grade 11) _ trombone and vocals.• Lauren Mays, (grade 11) alto sax and vocals.• Joshua Mercer (grade 9) _ drum set, auxiliary percussion,

piano and vocals.• Stephen Skvarek (grade 9) _ piano, bass guitar, percussion and

vocals.• Anisha Stallworth (grade 11) _ vocals and percussion.• Julius Teabout (grade 9) _ trumpet and vocals.• Kayla Williams (grade 10) _ vibraphone, auxiliary percussion

and vocals. • Mallory Williams (grade 11) _ trumpet, French horn, !ugelhorn, piano and vocals.

Modeled a"er “!e Blues Brothers” or “Chicago” bands, “Downbeat” features a horn and rhythm section and three singers who perform any type of music. Humphrey said there are currently 74 tunes the group will learn this year including music popularized by “Journey” “!e Four Seasons,” “Blink 182,” “Jet,” Nat King Cole, Gloria Estefan and !e Miami Sound Machine,“ “!e Blues Brothers” Van Morrison, Elvis Presley, Maynard Fergusson, Lee Greenwood, Elton John, Billy Joel, “!e Beatles,” Neil Diamond, “!e Killers,” and many, many more. Humphrey does all the musical arrangements for the group that so far has played at various school district functions including NHS and Perkins school homecoming pep rallies and a high school football game.

about “Downbeat”

Humphrey’s intent in forming “Downbeat” was to provide talented musicians with a real life opportunity to experience what it’s like to be a member of a real rock band.

“I want these kids to learn about every aspect of a gig including setting up speakers, being responsible for their own PR and advertisement as well as performance and knowledge of equipment,’’ Humphrey said. ”It’s all about getting them experience.

We want to get them out into the community. !ey are really unique and could play at so many di%erent kinds of events.”

And what do members of “Downbeat” think? Colombo said she likes being a member of “Downbeat” because of her “passion for music” which she says is soothing and relieves stress. “And this is my family outside of my family,’’ she said. Cepulo said he enjoys the “greater sense of teamwork” and camaraderie to the other musicians that being a member of a smaller band a%ords. Correia said she really enjoys the “variety of music” the band performs. “It’s what makes it more fun.” Malach said: “I think this is really an awesome opportunity. No other school in the area has this.” Stallworth said: “it’s kind of like making music our own way.” Because “Downbeat” is so versatile in the kinds of events it can perform at, Sophomore Anna Bouwens, said more students in the district will be able to see it play. Belliveau said she really likes the fact that members can play more than one instrument in the band.

Skvarek, who“ kind of wants to do music” a"er he graduates said being in “Downbeat” is giving him great experience.

Many of the students also said they like playing music they don’t normally play or sing in other high school venues.

Kayla Williams, who called “Downbeat” “awesome” also thanked Humphrey for “doing this.”