Advanced guitar students rock out to their first gig

By: Elijah Hill, Contributing Writer

Advanced Guitar students from left to right: Dalton White, Kylin Mastin, Mrs. Kimberly Neighbors. Not Pictured: Coulten Baker

On November 30, Advanced Guitar students: Coulten Baker, Kylin Mastin and Dalton White had their first ever gig performing for a Kiwanis Club dinner. 

This group of young prodigies decided to name their band The Neighbors, in tribute to their teacher, Mrs. Kimberly Neighbors. They performed songs, Hotel California by the Eagles and More Than a Feeling by Boston. White and Mastin played rhythm and lead guitar, with Baker playing rhythm. They were assisted by Aurora Neighbors on vocals, Byron Neighbors on sound and Elijah Hill playing rhythm bongos. 

“Once we found out about it we immediately started making our set list. I really wanted Ain't Talkin ‘bout Love by Van Halen but instead we chose More Than a Feeling by Boston. I've been looking forward to playing live for a while, so as soon as we chose our songs I started practicing,” stated Mastin, on getting ready for the performance.

Being invited by Dr. Smith, Principal at Centralia High school, is a huge step for the fine arts department. Mainly due to this being the first time any guitar class at CHS had been asked to do a performance of any type. This performance had a massive audience of about fifty people. Despite this crowd these advanced students did not let nerves get to them and had an amazing performance. 

“This was such an amazing opportunity for us advanced guitar students. Being able to experience what a real gig is like with sound, vocals and a live audience was truly captivating. I would like to give my thanks to Mrs. Neighbors for being such an amazing director and teacher, getting us ready for this performance. We could not have done it without her and the rest of the Neighbors family,” stated White.