A Tallahassee rock band will perform this Thursday evening on the stage of the Adderley Amphitheater at Cascades Park. The entire band is made up of local middle school students.
The School of Arts and Sciences Rock Band is rehearsing in the music room of the Thomasville Road campus. (music in background)
About a dozen students are leaning into their rendition of "Mississippi Queen." That was a big hit for the band Mountain in 1970. It also isn't the easiest rock song to play. It's even tougher to play well.
Although lead guitarist River Alovus pretty much nails the wailing solo made famous by Mountain's lead picker Leslie West.
"It's not too hard; the bendy strings and I like the nice neck so my fingers slide across it really easily."
Leslie West was also the lead vocalist on the song. In the School of Arts and Sciences Rock Band, that chore falls to Sejal Leonard.
"I probably should warm up more, but it's really fun to sing."
There are several rhythm guitarist in the group. Winter Kung is one of those.
"I accidentally bend the strings a lot, but I don't do it on purpose. I'm still learning, though."
The band has lots of low-end drive. Probably because there's more than one bass player. Ethan Lombardo is among them.
"I just like the sound of it. When you play and everyone else is in a high-pitched tone, you're playing the root of the song."
Ethan says it's also important for the bass to lock in with the kick drum. That's the department of the band's lone drummer, Jet Goddard. He's also among the group's most experienced players.
"I have an electric drum set and then an acoustic set out in my garage."
And it's not only for love of music. Here's what guitarist Cora Register really enjoys.
"Probably being able to connect with the group with the music, which is awesome."
That connection is also what School of Arts and Sciences Music Teacher Shannon Watkins finds awesome as well.
"When I went to music school, it was all classical music. But I grew up as a rocker, so I student taught in a rock-n-roll program. And when I moved to Tallahassee during the pandemic, it's been a work in progress. This is my fourth year running this and I love it. It's just a dream come true."
This Thursday will also be a dream come true for the band, as it takes to the Adderley Amphitheater stage at 7 p.m. It's a venue that many grownup players can only dream about.
"Wilco will be performing after us (on Friday.) I keep trying to remind them where they're playing. But I think the week of, it's going to sink in."
Tallahassee's School of Arts and Sciences Thomasville Road campus Rock Band. And it's a free concert.
