Thirty student musicians from high schools across Camden County showcased a mix of popular music genres at the All County Modern Band Showcase on Jan. 25 at Camden County College.
Mike Billingsley, coordinator of music and audio at the college, spearheaded the creation of the modern honors ensemble for the event, breaking away from the long-standing tradition of classical and jazz honors bands that have been the norm in New Jersey.
“When I started at Camden County College 20 years ago, I thought I’d be leading the same jazz and classical ensembles I had in college,” Billingsley recalled. “But I found out that many of my students were more into metal, hip hop, and the Beatles. This inspired me to expand the scope of our performances, and we’ve been exploring modern music ever since.”
The band showcase was a direct reflection of that expansion, he said.
“South Jersey already had so many opportunities for students in classical and jazz, so we knew this was something we could do well,” Billingsley noted. “It’s exciting to see students from various backgrounds – whether they’re jazz musicians or pop enthusiasts – coming together to play music they love.”
This year’s performance featured students from county high schools in Collingswood, Gloucester City, Haddon Township, Haddonfield and Haddon Heights, as well as students at Paul VI, Uncommon Prep, Sterling, Overbrook, Timber Creek, Highland, Eastern High and other districts. The repertoire spanned a range of iconic artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Amy Winehouse and Lizzo to ensure a fresh performance.
Selecting the musicians for the event was no small task for Billingsley. Auditions were held in November with video recordings; his staff reviewed those and placed students in the appropriate ensembles.
“The response from the high school band and choral directors was fantastic,” Billingsley offered, “and the students were incredibly excited to be part of a performance that featured pop music.”
Rehearsals began in early January and continued through the college’s winter break. The students practiced alongside Clay Sears, a renowned guitarist who has toured with the likes of Stevie Wonder and Janet Jackson. For the students, the process was intense but rewarding.
“It was different in a good way,” observed John Langan, a sophomore keyboardist at Eastern. “Sometimes school bands can be tiring, with their hyper-focus on songs for long periods, but with this group, we had a shorter time frame and still managed to come together perfectly by the last rehearsal.”
“The most exciting part was definitely going over parts with the other singers,” Eastern junior Ava Prednergast recounted. “It was so cool to meet people for the first time and hear our separate parts come together. Then to perform them on stage was exhilarating.”
One of the main goals of the event was to provide an interactive experience for the audience. Billingsley emphasized that the show would be “anything but a typical honors band performance.”
“We want the audience to take photos, videos, and even get up and dance,” he explained. “It’s a fun, relaxed atmosphere where the focus is on the enjoyment of the music.”
For many students, the event also provided a chance to collaborate with peers from different schools and backgrounds.
“I connected the most with the song, ‘Ain’t It Fun,’ by Paramore,” said Prednergast . “Singing it on stage with other musicians was amazing.”
The inaugural showcase has paved the way for future performances, according to Billingsley, who wants it to become an annual tradition. Just before the concert, the college received approval for funding to continue the event next year.
The showcase not only demonstrated the talent of high-school musicians, but also how music can bring young people together, Billingsley believes.
“Music is a universal language that connects us all,” he observed, “no matter our age or background.”
