MUSICIANS AT JCHS

Musicians at Johns Creek High School

Johns Creek is home to many talented musicians and artists. The Johns Creek Orchestra, directed by Mr. Kim, has received a “Superior” rating every year from the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) since its founding in 2009. The Johns Creek Band, directed by Mr. Daniels, has also received consistent “Superior” ratings from performance assessments. It is clear to see that Johns Creek’s official music programs are excelling. There are also music clubs at Johns Creek, such as Guitar Club and Major (Music and Joy, Our Resolution) Small Ensembles Club. But what about the musicians at Johns Creek who are not in these programs? Some students make music on their own, some are a part of a band and others take on musical hobbies such as DJing.These musicians work hard and often fly under the radar, not receiving the recognition they deserve. Senior Cooper Reagin is the drummer for Baker Miller Pink, a local band that creates original music and performs covers. “I started playing drums by covering rock bands but then got really into jazz drumming,” Reagin said. He started playing the drums when quarantine started and signed up for lessons once it was ending. Reagin stated, “I’d describe the band as very spontaneous and carefree. The band started last summer when I got some friends from my music lessons together.” Jimmi Hendrix and David Bowie are a couple of the band’s favorite artists and this common ground helped them grow closer. Baker Miller Pink performed a house show in early August and is looking to play more gigs, especially in Nashville, as their guitarist goes to school there. Regarding the band’s future, Reagin stated, “We hope to write more music and maybe release an EP or album.” Seniors Mikey Elkhoury and Rohan Gonsalves began DJing as a duo earlier this year and have been improving their skills ever since. “We rented a turntable from Guitar Center to try it out and decided to buy it after discovering we enjoyed it,” Gonsalves said. DJing involves mixing multiple different songs, or tracks, together to spin existing music in a new way. Essentially, they are creating new music through hybrids of existing tracks. Since then, the pair has performed at multiple different events, successfully turning their passion into a small business. “We want to buy more equipment as we make more money”, explained Elkhoury. Like Baker Miller Pink, they are on the hunt for more gigs. They plan to continue improving their craft and wish to continue in college. Between them and the JCHS Band and Orchestra, there is no shortage of musical talent at the creek. Hopefully, more musicians emerge and continue Johns Creek’s legacy of musical excellency. DREW TOSTENSON, sports editor