By Marcello Granata, Senior Teaching Assistant Music
This year, our advanced Rock Club group, "yonaH," prepared rigorously for the inter-school Battle of the Bands competition at ZIS. The band features some of ICS’s most talented musicians from across all Secondary Grades and boasts an impressive eight-member line-up, including two keyboards, two vocalists, and a trumpet!
We are beyond excited to share that all the dedication, countless hours of practice, and passion paid off — our band won the Battle of the Bands! It was a moment of pride and celebration for everyone involved, and a true testament to the talent and teamwork of "yonaH".
Throughout the semester, students have been workshopping Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean, building essential skills for playing in a band. They are learning to keep time with each other, incorporate dynamics, and adapt the structure and arrangement of the piece — all while training their ears to learn without sheet music. Beyond musical techniques, we’ve been having valuable discussions about the non-musical aspects of being in a band, covering topics like punctuality, preparation, and clear communication. Students are also learning to give and receive constructive feedback in a respectful, supportive way.
Recently, students have also begun learning about the technical side of performance. They’re gaining hands-on experience with setting up, fine-tuning, and caring for their equipment — skills that not only help them respect shared gear but also give them practical knowledge about the tools they use each week.