ZCHS Grads Release Debut Album Created During COVID-19 Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Michelle Boulos
Zionsville Community High School 2021 graduates Jack Schrepferman, Cooper Davenport and Evan Emsley recorded and professionally distributed/released their self-titled debut album under the name “Arboretum” on June 11, 2021. The self-described indie rock, pop and folk album has been streamed 26,000plus times across all major streaming platforms and has been picked up by several official Spotify playlists.
I
spoke with these incredibly talented and thoughtful young gentlemen about the genesis of their friendships, the creation of their band and what their futures might hold. The fact that this album was a total DYI project—produced and mixed entirely by Schrepferman in his basement storage room/studio—and was written and recorded over the course of a year by these three artists without professional assistance makes for interesting story worth celebrating.
cess to this quality education remains a very strong part of their musical identity even though the majority of the album is filled with loud drums, screaming guitars and synthesizers. The musicians do retain their roots, however, with moments such as a pop tenor saxophone solo on the album’s first track, “Grace.”
The artists are pleased with the exceptional streaming statistics and community support; however, they are by no means satisfied. They are already knee-deep recording a new project, running outside ad campaigns and seeking management as they begin college. Schrepferman shared, “Me and Cooper have been friends since first grade, and Evan I became friends our freshman year of high school. We’d all been friends and musically connected for a very long time. A little over a year ago, we came together after realizing that we had all been working on fun little projects, and we began writing contemporary music.” The three came together in 2020 and created their own creative outlet that provided a productive and positive release from what was happening in the community and the world around them.
AN INSPIRED TRIO The talented musical trio are all products of Zionsville Community Schools music programs and cultivated their musical theory and performances on concert band instruments. Ac-
ZIONSVILLE MONTHLY
Zionsville_2021Aug_Schrepferman-band.indd 8
6
AUGUST 2021
2021-08-24 10:47 AM
