#MIDDLEBURY #PHS #BattleoftheBands
By MARISSA MATOZZO
Pomperaug High School (PHS) will raise money for pediatric cancer research by holding its first Battle of the Bands competition Thursday, June 8, 2017, at 7 p.m. in the school auditorium. “It will be a great night of music to benefit a very worthy cause,” said PHS sophomore Catherine Windover.
In 2015, Windover and her band participated in the fifth annual Ridgefield BandJam, a talent contest open to Connecticut middle- and high-school musicians. “Being a part of the BandJam inspired me to bring an event like this to Pomperaug,” she said.
Bands interested in participating in the PHS competition had to register with Windover by May 19. They also had to submit two recordings of either cover or original songs to her by May 28.
“The bands are free to perform any song they like, cover or original. My band, as well as most bands, will most likely be doing covers,” Windover said. “So far, seven bands have showed interest and turned in registration forms,” she said with a smile. “I am looking forward to Pomperaug’s own night of musical performances.” After all the bands perform, winners will be selected by a panel of teacher judges.
Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Luck2Tuck Foundation in memory of former PHS student Truxtun “Tucker” Gowen, who fiercely battled a rare form of acute myelogenous leukemia and passed away in 2012. The Luck2Tuck Foundation raises funds for pediatric cancer research, provides support for families of children diagnosed with cancer, sponsors an annual PHS scholarship in Gowen’s memory and keeps his legacy alive.
“I wanted to incorporate my love of music with benefiting a worthy cause like the Luck2Tuck Foundation,” Windover said. “I’ve witnessed all of the wonderful things the foundation has done by bringing our community together, and I’m very excited that this event will aid their continued efforts in pediatric cancer research and their scholarship grants.”
Tickets for PHS students and faculty are on sale during lunch waves through Wednesday, June 8. Advance tickets are $5; at the door, they will be $8 for students and adults.
