OHHS School of Rock poised to revisit the 1980s

Apr. 18—oak hill — Music from the decade that spawned the MTV generation will be on display at Oak Hill High School on Monday, April 22.

A night of 1980s music is on the itinerary at the school that night as the Oak Hill High School School of Rock will present "An Evening for Family and Friends: Totally Eighties — I Love Rock n' Roll." The event will begin at 7 p.m.

Science teacher Andrea Carr, history teacher Alec Smith and math teacher Tim Haynie are co-directing the event, with assistance from other school staff members.

"We are gearing up to perform our Family and Friends Show on April 22," Haynie said recently. "We all have a great love of music."

The popular School of Rock program is in its 10th year at OHHS, Haynie said.

"Most of the kids that show an interest (participate); we try to keep them out of trouble," said Haynie. "Most of the kids are really good kids. Most of them are honor students."

This year, School of Rock has included "about 16 kids that come regularly every week," he noted. "It's grown from just a couple kids to about 16 kids now."

The activity allows the students to contribute to the music delivery in a variety of manners, Haynie pointed out. "We try to have a part for everybody involved. We have kids that do the sound mixing, kids that do the lighting, kids that play their instruments. We try to find them all a slot to be involved."

"One of our students (Zachary Cain) is an exceptional artist who has designed our program," he added.

The School of Rock is an enjoyable endeavor for all, said Haynie. "We have a great time. We come in here (normal weekly practices after school) and we make a big bang and bring out all the gear, and we've just had some exceptional talent over the years travel through this little club."

This year, the group played some selections at a first-of-year open house, along with the school band.

"We incorporate the choir ... and several members of Mr. Myers band," Haynie said. "We're hoping it will be a great night."

The students can take away a great deal from their participation in School of Rock, Haynie said.

"They get a lot of fun," he said. "They learn what it means to work together. They learn what it means to try to get along and reach a common objective. From a teacher perspective, sometimes that can be challenging.

"For whatever it's worth, this particular generation is very exceptional," he added. "They seem to really want to play, and I've probably demanded more out of them this year than I ever have.

"Last year was the first Family and Friends show," Haynie said. Before that, previous shows were staged only for the student body during school hours.

About 150 attended in 2023. "We're hoping to pack the house this year," he said.

Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students. "But, if you can't afford, please come anyway," said Haynie.

The proceeds will be used to purchase new gear. Last year, for example, a drum kit was purchased and is now in use in the show. "This year, we're kind of in need of some monitors (floor audio monitors)," Haynie said.

Future plans include possibly adding videography to complement the show.

"It's been a lot of fun," Haynie said. "I have a lot of fun. It highly motivates me."

Haynie said the current SOR members gained their enthusiasm in part from a former graduate and club member, River Coleman, who "was dedicated and led by example, and still visits us."

Monday's show will include popular tunes by bands such as Van Halen, Journey, Loverboy and Bon Jovi.

School of Rock members 2024 are as follows: Emily Smith, Natalee Rice, Aiden Dicken, Caden Canterbury, Joy Carver, Steven Peters, Noah Harmon, Curtis Canterbury, Regina Royal, Zachary Cain, Shawn Craddock, Cameron Linton, Rick Pannell, Nicholas Cain, Sam Christner, Lora Hundley, Tyler McKinney, Robert Guthrie, Averie Evans, AJ Humphrey, Casey Cole and Eddie Painter.

Besides Carr, Smith and Haynie, others assisting include Joseph Dangerfield (music teacher), Travis Myers (music teacher) and members of the OHHS choir and band.

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