The squeal of a mic cut through the chatter filling the bustling East Cafeteria. Bright lights glared down on the bands as they adjusted their guitar straps, microphones, and drums in preparation for their performance at Battle of the Bands on Dec 8.

This year’s Battle of the Bands, sponsored by Interact Club, took on a dual role, Andrea Lutai, Social Outreach Coordinator for Interact Club, said. It served as both a fundraiser for the People’s Music School, a nonprofit organization providing free musical education to underprivileged children, and a platform for students to compete and showcase their musical talents, Lutai explained. This year, Battle of the Bands raised more than $500 for the organization, she added. Four bands performed at the event: sophomore band Subject to Change, junior-senior band Spun, senior band Zelko, and senior band Left Turn 25, Lutai said.

Despite the competitive nature of the event, bands experienced camaraderie with one another, senior Borna Movaffaghi, a member of Left Turn 25 and Zelko, explained. Beyond that, Movaffaghi enjoyed being a role model for other bands.

Gallery • 4 Photos

Kaitlyn Jiang

Spun: Junior-senior band Spun performs at Battle of the Bands, in a small down to earth performance.

“The most important [part of] Battle of the Bands is that it is open to all four years,” Movaffaghi said. “One thing that I loved from Battle of the Bands last year was getting inspired by [more experienced bands] having that feeling like, ‘Hey, these guys can do it, why can’t I?’”

Senior Matthew Zelkowitz, member of Left Turn 25 and Zelko, emphasized the community built in a band where every member can improve together.

“[My band is] bigger than just me,” Zelkowitz said. “I can be proud of something that I am working on with my friends, and [that] progress is pretty cool to experience.”

After performing at Battle of the Bands and winning first place with Left Turn 25, Movaffaghi reflected upon his experience: despite technical difficulties, he and his band members pulled through and made an impactful, cohesive performance.

“Though there were moments where we started falling apart, we were able to play through them and keep the music going,” Movaffaghi said. “The most important thing is we had a blast doing it. Even if everything had gone much worse, it still would have been worth it.”