The seven-year-old Battle of the Bands event is in danger of ending because of a lack of student involvement.
With few students helping to organize and run the event; social studies teacher Melinda Horowitz is looking for recruits to help coordinate the annual event.
“It is a competition for bands, singers, and artists of students that go to Akins High School,” Horowitz said. “They will be judged on a variety of different measures like musicality, entertainment, skill, professionalism. Basically they compete against one another for the title of best band of Akins High School.”
Horowitz said anyone at this school could audition. And the only requirement for the band is that at least one member in the band is a current Akins student.
Although there was much to expect in the past battles, this year there is a high stakes of losing the tradition.
“This year the club that helps to organize this event is reforming,” Horowitz said. “The previous club organizers have all graduated so we need helping hands to meet after school to get the party started.”
Organizers have different roles when trying to create the event.
“Usually we have teams of people doing different things,” Horowitz said. “One team will handle tickets sales, another manages concessions, another welcomes people into the theatre, and there is also backstage workers.”
Alumn Jackson King participated in the 2012-2013 Battle along with alumni Ben Livingston and Michael Nottebart in their band Capture Theory.
“Battle of the Bands was one of the greatest experiences of my high school career,” King said. “I want to see it continue because it gives students an opportunity to share something personal through music and gives them experience.”
With so many previous bands and artists there is a variety of music to be expected.
“There could be rock, metal, country, R&B, rap, etc.,” Horowitz said. “The only parameters that we look for is to make sure songs and students are professional and appropriate for all audiences because it’s an all ages show.”
Horowitz feels passionate about having the contest every year for students to express their musical talents at school.
“It is a chance for students to showcase their abilities,” Horowitz said.
Horowitz enjoys the contest because it gives students a chance to be seen in ways other than someone who sits in a classroom.
“I am most looking forward to seeing some of my own students that I’ve seen at the school in a different light,” Horowitz said. “Sometimes as a teacher you only know somebody as a student or who takes notes in class. It is really cool to get to see a kid in their element, doing something that they love. Not that they don’t like my class. Just joking.”
Senior Santana Gutierrez was a previous student of Horowitz’s and participated in Battle of the Bands for the past two years.
Gutierrez performed with his previous band Sinsored alongisde senior Pierce Pruitt and alumni Michael Loera and Francisco De La Rosa.
“It’s a great experience for bands that are just starting out or have never played in front of a crowd before,” Gutierrez said.
Another reason people come to see the talent is because of the charity work that is involved.
“The Battle of the Bands is a fundraiser. This year it is to support the different Arts and Humanities programs at the school,” Horowitz said. “It is a way for students to get some performance experience in font of a live audience, exposure for their acts, get practice playing, and to help support some of the programs here at Akins.”
Livingston, who participated in the 2010-2011 and 2012-2013 battles, wishes to see it continue.
Livingston’s band Capture Theory won first place last year and donated the proceeds from the contest to the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians.
“I would love to see the Battle of the Bands continue, with it’s charitable and open format.” Livingston said. “It also gives students a chance to perform.”