Parent Teacher Magazine Union County Public Schools Nov/Dec 2015 | Page 16

CHS Rock Band records on the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus

For as long as she can remember,
Great in My School” video contest. Winning got
Olivia Martin, a 15-year-old sophomore at
students a two-day residency with the NAMM
Cuthbertson High School, has written songs,
Foundation and the John Lennon Educational
and sung those songs while playing her guitar.
Tour Bus.
“I love music in general,” she said. “It’s my
John Lennon Educational Tour Bus “This is
favorite thing in the entire world.”
a huge deal for me,” Justin said. “I love playing
Olivia shares that love of music with six
drums and just having an opportunity like this is
other Cuthbertson High School students and
amazing.”
about a year ago, they began singing together,
Students submitted the winning video last
calling themselves simply The Cuthbertson
year featuring an original song, written and
Rock Band. They recently wrote a song
produced by students.
collaboratively titled, Tangible Things.
“I’ve been looking forward to this for such a
Band members consist of Brenden Grove,
long time,” Ethan said. “I’m freaking out a little
17, (guitar); Nick Abbaticchio, 16 (bass guitar/
bit on the inside, but I’m trying to not show
baritone); Ethan Smith, 18, (keyboards/
that. It’s a lot to take in. I’m on the John Lennon
horn); Justin Seery, 16, (drums/baritone);
tour bus!”
Olivia, (guitar/vocals/clarinet); Trey Burke,
The bus travels coast-to-coast 10 months
18 (guitar/trombone) and Chad Morris, 18,
out
of the year, giving hands-on experiences to
The Cuthbertson Rock Band play their
(guitar/trumpet).
students
all over the country. It makes between
song, “Tangible Things.”
“It’s so cool to play with my friends and
150 to 200 stops each year, all across the United
write with my friends,” Olivia said. “I love
States, mostly at middle and high schools,
everything about it.”
offering students the opportunity to produce and record an original
The band’s world changed considerably, however, when invited
song and create a music video of that song.
to record their song on the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus. “John
Cuthbertson Rock Band members came onboard the high-tech
Lennon was such a legend,” Olivia said. “It’s so awesome to be a part recording bus Monday (Oct. 19) along with their guitars, keyboard
of something that honors such an amazing person.”
and drums and began rehearsing their song. After a few rehearsals,
The invitation resulted from CHS being chosen as one of six
the song was recorded.
schools nationwide by the National Association of Music Merchants
“We’re recording them while they’re playing and then we’ll play it
(NAMM) to win in the second annual “What Makes Music Education
(continued on page 15)

The Hunter Farm
...where lifelong memories are made.

ring
Featu

...
• Come take a wagon ride
• See all the farm animals
• Drink hot coco
• Sit by a roaring fire
• Santa makes weekend stops
• Private party reservations are available.

A tree from Chestnut Hill Tree Farms
will always be a fresh tree.
Cut Fresh Weekly from our farm in
West Jefferson, North Carolina.
Christmas trees are displayed in water.
Free Open House for Teachers
if you mention or bring in this ad.
Exp. 10/31/2015

10% OFF ANY TREE
Free delivery within 5 miles

13624 Providence Road • Weddington, NC 28104
704-846-7979 • thehunterfarm.org
14 • Nov/Dec 2015 • Parent Teacher Magazine