Battle of the Bands showcases students’ musical talents

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — Young rockers and soulful soloists took center stage March 8 for the Houlton High School Battle of the Bands competition at the Houlton Community Arts Center.
    Held as part of the students’ Spirit Week of events, the freshman, sophomore, junior and senior classes each performed sets for a panel of four judges with the hopes of earning enough points for their class. Serving as judges were Jason Hill, Levi Davis, Jenny (Beasley) Parley and Ryan Hill.
    Representing the freshman class were Keegan Fitzpatrick and Natalie Rush performing the songs “Hiding My Heart,” by Adele; “Poison and Wine,” by the Civil Wars; and “Lost in my Mind,” by the Head and the Heart.
    The sophomore class was represented by Ryan Tribou, Elyjah Crockett and Alex York. The trio performed “Higher Ground,” by Stevie Wonder;  “Holiday,” by Green Day; and “We Will Rock You,” by Queen.
    For the junior class, Mallory Clayton, Autumn Fox, Taylor Forest and D.J. McGary performed “She Will Be Loved,” by Maroon 5 and “Iris,” by the Goo Goo Dolls.
    The senior class band of Zacharia Harvey, Danicka Fitzpatrick, Craig Goodall and Caleb Miles, performed the songs “Santeria,” by Sublime and “I Love Rock ‘N Roll,” by Joan Jett.
    Audience cheers played an integral role in determining a winner as music instructor Kevin Mania used a sound decibel device to measure cheers from the crowd. Judges’ votes were also taken into consideration. The senior class won the competition with 292 points, followed by the freshmen, 236; sophomores, 221 and juniors, 198.

Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr SONG MAKERS — Keegan Fitzpatrick and Natalie Rush perform a soulful duet during the Houlton High School “Battle of the Bands” event March 8 at the Community Arts Center. Fitzpatrick and Rush represented the freshman class.	Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr FOLKSY QUARTET — Juniors, from left, D.J. McGary, Mallory Clayton, Autumn Fox and Taylor Forest perform a folk song.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr HIGH NOTE — Senior Danicka Fitzpatrick hits a high note during the song “I Love Rock ‘N Roll.”	Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr SOLO — Sophomore Alex York rips into a guitar solo along with drummer Ryan Tribou.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr LEAD SINGER — Elyjah Crockett belts out the song “Holiday.”	Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr ROCKIN’ — Senior Craig Goodall, front, plays the bass guitar while classmate Zacharia Harvey sings and plays drums.