Making The Band SWHS

Making The Band SWHS is a reality TV series in which South Windsor High School students compete to form a dynamic vocal pop band. The show’s first season premiered in simulcast on January 14, 2008 on Local Public Access Television and iTunes. Since then, the series has gained a steady following and record numbers of episode downloads have been recorded worldwide through iTunes [ [http://www.swindsor.k12.ct.us/Highschool/ "The Southwinds"] ] .

Each Episode of Season 1 of Making The Band SWHS highlighted the talent competition in which student contestants performed songs karaoke-style for three judges. South Windsor High School Language Arts teacher Andrea Henchey, and Chemistry Teacher David White served as judges for the series along with 2005 South Windsor High School graduate, Dan “The Dan” Martin.

The End of the Year Special, also known as Episode 5 and the unofficial beginning of Season 2, followed the beginning of the winning group’s transformation into a professional pop band.

Winners

On March 17, 2008 the winners of the first Making The Band SWHS competition were announced. Three student contestants were chosen to be part of the band: Ashley Wilcox and Josh Amos from the Class of 2010, and Alicia Negron of the Class of 2011.

eason 1 Synopsis

“The Dan” introduces the content of each episode in an opening monologue segment. The highlights of each contestant’s performance then follow, with interviews of each contestant inserted as they discuss their experiences. At the conclusion of the performances sequence, the three regular judges deliberate in a darkened room, and decide which contestants should proceed to the subsequent round. The show features a unique real time element in the sense that contestants do not find out whether or not they made it to the next round until each new episode’s airing: contestants and viewers learn results at the same time.

End of the Year Special

The End of the Year Special offered many changes to the Making The Band SWHS episode format. This episode featured a recap of the entire first season and a new animated introduction sequence including the winning band members. This episode did not include an opening monologue from “The Dan,” instead the show immediately presented the group’s new escapades. This show highlighted the band at a photoshoot, in the studio working on their first song as a group and performances at a charity event and local concert, among other activities.Like past episodes, interviews with the group members explaining their feelings were inserted during sequences.

Recapitulation

Preliminary auditions were held in the South Windsor High School auditorium on November 29, 2007 and were open to the entire student body. 19 contestants participated as either soloists, or in pairs or groups. Each contestant was required to choose a song from a list of various genres of selected music to perform in front of three judges. 12 student contestants made it to the second round.

Round Two took place in mid-January in which the twelve remaining contestants were instructed to perform top 40’s song solo in front of the judges. At the second round, SWHS Mathematics teacher, Mr. Brindisi served as a guest judge. The judges cut the field in half and 6 student contestants were chosen to advance to round three.

Round Three held unforeseen experiences for the remaining contestants. The six participants were unexpectedly brought into the school’s recoding studio where they were told they had to record a song they’ve never heard before, on the spot. The single “Make This Band,” produced, arranged and written by Dan Martin, features performances all six remaining contestants. "Make This Band" was made available for free download from the Making The Band SWHS website during the broadcast of the third episode. Three members of the girl band, Fresh, served as guest judges for this special round. During the third deliberation, the judges decided they needed to see all six of the remaining contestants perform at the Live Final Round.

Tickets were sold to the fourth round, deemed Making The Band SWHS LIVE. Many attendees arrived to see the contestants’ final performances before the band was made. For this round, contestants were assigned to perform popular songs with partners, and had 2 performances each in addition to the final performance, a stage rendition of “Make This Band.” During the final Deliberation, the judges looked over all their previous notes, and information, taking the whole competition into account. The near unanimous decision resulted in the first band made on Making The Band SWHS.

Production

Making The Band SWHS is run by production company/recording label Badger Entertainment. Over 30 talented high school students serve as production assistants for the series. Many responsibilities of these assistants include preparing sets, operating cameras and audio equipment and editing footage.Many local sponsors, such as Best Buy, Highland Park Market, Stop & Shop & The Red Onion Pizza make donations to aid in production of Making The Band SWHS.

Significance

Making The Band SWHS is unique in that it provides an educational opportunity to participants in the form of real world production experience for high school students that is also fun and engaging. Likewise, the program allows these high school students to be engaged in digital media production that is beneficial to the student body in that staff and students are able to view the process of music production and other factors that go in to creating a musical act that are aired on the show.

Making The Band SWHS has been featured in many local periodicals including The Reminder [ [http://www.thereminder.com/ "The Reminder"] ] , Life Publications [ [http://www.whitepublishing.com "Life Publications"] ] and The Southwinds [ [http://www.swindsor.k12.ct.us/Highschool/ "The Southwinds"] ] .

References

External links

* [http://www.makingthebandswhs.com/ Making The Band SWHS]
* [http://www.swindsor.k12.ct.us/Highschool/index.shtml/ South Windsor High School]
* [http://www.badgerent.com/ Badger Entertainment]