A group of local students have been spending their free time doing something they love: creating music. The “Half Brassed Brass Band,” made up of young musicians from RCHS, meet weekly before school to rehearse their songs. They play high energy music that blends traditional New Orleans jazz with influences of rock, funk, and other genres. For three consecutive years the band has won the people’s choice award at the RCHS talent show. In addition, they perform original songs as well as covers in downtown Lexington and Charlottesville. Under the direction of junior Calvin Clark (left), the band has arranged fresh renditions of Christmas classics and released an album called “A Half Brassed Christmas” on all streaming platforms. The other band members include juniors Sammy Eastwood, Edison Rahl and Alex Hartman and sophomores Maddie David and Graham Shester. (Pictured from left with Clark are Shester, David, Rahl, Hartman and Eastwood.) The album features special guest Tom Artwick, a local jazz artist and instructor, as well as RCHS junior Tristan Ripani on guitar. Area residents can visit the band’s YouTube page to see the students in action.
