Teen Band Forms in New Oak Park Music Program

Earlier this summer, six Oak Park teens came together to form a band. It wasn’t just jamming out in a garage, though; these kids got the rock star experience that included a live performance at Fitzgerald’s and a recording session.

The Rock Performance & Studio Recording, organized by Oak Park music teacher and industry verteran Kevin Reid, brought together people interested in forming a band. They trained for nine weeks and learned the ins and outs of being in a band.

Read more about the program and Kevin Reid’s experience here.

I talked to the band members to learn about their experience and how it felt to get a live gig at such young ages. The teens formed the band Sound Proof, featuring:

• Zoe Farr, 16 years old (lead vocal, guitar)
• Devin Cuneen, 14 (lead guitar, vocals)
• Olivia Farnham, 14 (guitar, ukelele, vocals)
• Sofia Farr, 14 (keys, guitar, vocals)
• Evan Kavanaugh, 12 (bass, vocals)
• Paul Samatas, 17 (drums)

Before this program, most students had years of experience playing guitar, piano or other instruments but had never played in a band, much less had a live gig.

“It sounded like a really great opportunity to improve and get the feel of playing in a group,” Farnham said.

The Farr sisters and Farnham knew each other going into the program, but Cuneen said the music helped strangers come together.

“I didn't know anybody in the band going into it,” he said. “It was a great experience meeting new people and becoming closer with them. The music really helped that. We all respected each other's talents and at least had one thing in common.”

Although the live performance was the highlight for the teens, they said they learned a lot about how bands work and everything that goes into performing.

“The best part of being in the program was getting to know new people and getting to perform on stage,” Zoe Farr said. “The biggest thing I took away was getting over my stage fright.”

“Some of the challenges of being in a band is team work, everyone has to do their part,” her sister, Sofia Farr, added. “The other would be coming out of my comfort zone, singing for me.”

Everyone said the program helped them get out of their comfort zone and learn to be comfortable on stage in front of a crowd.

“The live gig made it a better experience because it seemed like we were actually going somewhere, instead of just practicing for ourselves,” Zoe Farr said. “It really pushed us to improve and do our best.”

The teens aren’t quite sure what comes next for Sound Proof, but they said they want to stick together and perform live again. They will perform at the next student showcase, though. Reid said he’s planning to continue this nine-week program for others who are interested. For more information about the program, contact Reid at kevin@audiotribemusic.com or 615-693-9317. Learn more at the Audio Tribe Music website.