Participating in the Battle of the Bands - a note from the winners!

By: M. C. Almeida

Being on the battle of the bands is tough. You need to devote 100% of yourself if you want to get far. You need to practice lunch times and after schools, learn lyrics and notes, be confident and most importantly: don’t care about what people will think if you get something wrong, Never forget: you’re not alone.
 
However, the battle of the bands, as terrifying as it may seem to go up stage and play to plenty of people, it has taught me to be brave and learn distinct types of instruments and environments. I personally think that the battle of the bands was one of the best decisions I made in my life.
 
Being in a band feels like a second family, I know that they will always be there for me and I will be there for them. The compliments I received since the battle of the bands began, not only from the judges but from the public, made my world. Every applause you get is like a firework is exploding inside of you and in return you just give them the biggest smile possible, because that’s what counts: the emotions you feel throughout it all, throughout the whole experience.
 
Plenty of people these days came to me and asked “what’s it like to be in a band? “. To be in a band is frustrating, euphoric, uplifting, humiliating, joyful, tearful... However, being in a band for me is rewarding. Just doing something for pure love, going to the stage and preforming your chosen song with your heart and soul. Thinking that nobody really "needs" my music. I make it because it feels good when people like it, it’s unexplainable. And since I am in a band with good friends, it's a wonderful way to spend time with them and work together, because they're very smart, creative, talented, funny… And we motivate each other in unexpected and fun ways. 
 
It’s hard to get your spirit out there and show the school what you are capable of. It’s hard to find a band that will certainly stick around. But I can promise you that once you do it, trust me, you won’t regret a second of it.

This article was written before 'STOKED' won the Battle of the Bands.