Guitarists bring music to Libertyville High lunch periods
Ricky Rodriguez plugs his acoustic-electric guitar into an amplifier, tunes the instrument and takes his spot in front of a microphone.
“Hello, everyone,” the slim 15-year-old says, issuing a quick wave to the crowd before him.
The room the fifth period lunchroom at Libertyville High School does not respond. In fact, for the most part, the students ignore his presence completely.
As Ricky and fellow guitarist Camilla Ou launch into the Eagle Eye Cherry hit “Save Tonight,” most of the students eat their sandwiches or chicken wraps, drink their bottled water or juice, chat with friends or work on assignments without acknowledging the two young musicians who are there to entertain them.
But Ricky doesn't mind. He's thrilled to play for his classmates, part of a regular Friday gig organized by the school's Fret Boarders guitar club.
“It is really quite cool,” Ricky says between songs. “You get the chance to show your peers what you're capable of.”
Camilla, picking at a Fender Squire electric guitar, is equally jazzed to play for a crowd instead of in her bedroom. It's her first lunchtime show, and she's not at all nervous.
“It's nice,” Camilla, 15, says during a break. “It's relaxing.”
The Fret Boarders formed about four years ago, but the lunchtime gigs only began within the last month or so.
“I'm always struggling to find places for kids to perform,” club sponsor Anne Malecki says. “The only way to learn how to perform is to actually do it.”
The lunchtime concerts typically are solo or duo shows. Club members perform during their lunch periods, making way for replacements as they day goes on.
On this particular Friday, Ricky and Camilla are working their way through a series of pop hits. “Save Tonight” is followed by Nickelback's “Rockstar,” a song that gets the duo a little more applause when they wrap it up.
By the time they get into Third Eye Blind's “I Will Understand,” a pair of girls seated at a table near the makeshift stage is singing along.
They've connected with their audience. Success.
Freshman Rebekah Hardy appreciates the musicians' efforts.
“Some of these kids are really talented,” she says. “You never really know how talented someone is until they show it.”
Fellow freshman A.J. Snorf is equally impressed.
“They're putting themselves way out there to perform in front of a couple hundred kids,” he says.
Malecki is proud of the club members for having the guts to get in front of their classmates and play.
“It's not the most optimal performance space,” she says. “I think if you can perform in a high school cafeteria, you're going to be able to play anywhere in the world.”