By Abigail Haber, Staff Writer
The enjoyable, carefree scene of a band practicing is different from a school atmosphere – focused and quiet. Nevertheless, a number of First Flight teachers play in bands, enjoying the thrill of performing in front of an audience. Sometimes the teachers bring a taste of their music into school, playing for students and livening up the building. On occasion, you might wind up hearing a class learning while the teacher shows off a piece of music.
Jonny Waters, a social studies teacher, has been singing and playing instruments for 20 years. He formed his group in college and performed for the first time at the ECU Battle of The Bands in 2012. When Waters and his group were selected as a finalist for the ECU Battle of The Bands, they were able to play for the annual Barefoot on the Mall festival.
He and his band have been playing together ever since. His band goes by the name Jonny Waters & Co. and often plays at festivals, concerts and in restaurants. While the band most often plays in North Carolina and Virginia, the musicians sometimes travel to different places to play. Waters every so often will play guitar for his students, as well.
“I like to play for my classes whenever I get the chance to,” Waters said.
Last year, Waters and a few other talented teachers played guitar in the rotunda before school started.
“I loved being able to perform in the rotunda for students.” Waters said. “I was honored and really stoked to play for everyone!”
Matthew Haskett is a new English teacher here who plays music on the side. Haskett has a history with music, playing guitar for 23 years and creating his own bands for almost 20 years. His current band, The Clawbacks, was started with a friend around 2014.
“I had moved back to the Outer Banks not too long before and I reached out to a drummer and had talked to him about forming a band,” Haskett said. “He just didn’t really have the time, but he actually ended up buying a house and ended up building a practice space in the back.”
Eventually, Haskett and his drummer started playing together and formed the band.
“He called me up and we started playing,” Haskett said.
Haskett and his drummer started off alone before later inviting a bassist to the group. Currently, his band plays locally on the Outer Banks and in many restaurants. The Clawbacks have played at venues like Jack Brown’s, The Blue Crab Tavern and The Bonzer Shack. The band was planning to play in DC and Maryland before COVID-19 became an obstacle.
Ted Mitchell, a new social studies teacher, is a drummer in the band Stereo in Words. Mitchell has been drumming long before Stereo in Words, for over 35 years.
“I’ve played in a number of bands over the years and have recorded albums and played shows of all sizes in many places,” Mitchell said.
His current band has been playing together for a year and a half. The band is composed of four people who write and perform their own music.
“We started writing and rehearsing on a regular basis after the first wave of COVID calmed down,” Mitchell said.
So far, the band has played at the Rock the Cape Festival in Avon, Uncle Ike’s in Corolla, Outer Banks Brewing Station and The Blue Crab Tavern.
Music is a major facet of life for many people that creates a place to connect with others and relax. Music also is a tool to help students bond with their teachers and make a space of understanding.
“Music is the universal language, and what better positive greeting for people than some good vibrations!” Waters said.
Sophomore Abigail Haber can be reached at 24haberab93@daretolearn.org.
