Student musicians will be performing on the Palo Alto High School Quad during lunch as part of this week’s program hosted by the Associated Student Body.
The performances will include original pieces and covers, according to ASB School Board representative senior Emma Cole. Many genres of music will be represented, including rock, alternative, rap and hip hop.
ASB is putting on this event to alleviate some of the stresses of finals week, according to Cole.
“We just wanted to put this event on because we love seeing Paly students relaxing and enjoying free time on the Quad, even when school is stressful and hectic,” Cole said. “It is nice to just take a break on the Quad on a beautiful sunny day and listen to great music. It is a very low key, calm event, but hopefully students will just see it as a chance to wind down and relax a little bit.”
In the past, the Paly band has performed on the Quad, however, ASB expanded the event to allow for student musicians to play, according to Cole. Students from a variety of musical backgrounds signed up to perform in front of their peers and show off their talent.
“This week gave us a reason to get a group together and try playing some styles of music we do not usually play,” senior Peter Willits said. “We are using this week of music as a method to spread some music to people who may need it and hopefully to get some people dancing.”
Willits and his band will be playing covers of reggae, ska and funk songs.
Other hope that this week will help bring some publicity to their work.
“I want to perform because I have been writing and producing original songs for years and want this to help me get more exposure,” senior Martin Manasherob said. He will be performing a series of hip-hop and rhythm and blues songs, all self-written and produced.
Manasherob says he hopes that his music will help students relax and have fun.
“I think that this will be good for the campus because it is music that gives off a good vibe,” Menasherob said. “It [the music] is positive for people who might be having a tough day or maybe just want to enjoy some good music.”
Below is the tentative list of performance dates, according to Cole. Dates are subject to change.
May 20: Russell Star-lack and Jer Samos (“RAJ”)
May 23: Peter Willits
May 24: Clara Chiu and Claire Krugler (first half), Martin Manasherob (second half)
May 25: Andrew Huang
May 26: Gabe Cohen
May 27: Dillon Scheel