At Renaissance Academy, music education has taken an exciting turn. Thanks to the vision of students Marshall Rohrer, Gavin Howell, Ella Kanyugi, and Abigail Baxter. Renaissance’s music program now includes a dynamic modern rock band elective that inspires students and transforms the classroom into a performance stage. Among its most promising ensembles is Soundbox6, a middle school rock band gaining recognition for its creativity, dedication, and collaborative spirit.
Supporting this evolution in music education is Mr. Hayes, Renaissance Academy’s Modern Band Director, whose ongoing leadership and mentorship play an integral role in cultivating young talent. His commitment to upholding a culture of musical excellence complements the innovative work of the students, helping to bridge traditional and modern music education while providing students with a well-rounded foundation.
The modern band program originated from the shared passion of Marshal and Gavin, both skilled guitarists with a deep appreciation for rock music. What began as an after-school club during the 2023–2024 school year quickly gained traction among students and evolved into a fine arts elective for 7th- and 8th-grade students in the 2024–2025 academic year. Student and Soundbox 6 Promotions Manager Mason Lee reflected on the program’s beginnings: “This entire program started through two incredibly persistent and talented musicians... They collaborated to pitch the Modern Rock Band approach as a brand-new performance-based club.”
With its growing popularity, the program is now exploring opportunities to expand into the high school level.
Soundbox 6 comprises student musicians who share a love for alternative and indie rock. Their setlists are selected collaboratively, emphasizing student voice and musical challenge.
“We choose songs based on our collaborative ideas,” Lee explained. “It has to be unanimous, and it usually falls within the alternative or indie rock genre.”
Bandmate Ella Kanyugi added: "I look at my Spotify playlist and recommend songs and choose what I like." Their musical influences are as modern as their sound, including a vast array of artists.
One of the band’s most exciting experiences to date was recording at Lebanon Valley College. For many students, it was their first time in a professional studio setting.
“It was pretty cool! From the process of actually recording to learning the basics of the recording console system, it was a neat experiment to show off what we can do,” said Lee.
The band recorded their most challenging piece, “R U Mine? "by Arctic Monkeys, taking the opportunity to revisit and refine their performance from a prior show. While technical challenges and time constraints meant they could not fully mix their recordings, the students walked away with valuable skills and enthusiasm for future sessions.
Soundbox 6 and other bands have also ventured into live performances, including their standout appearance at the Abington School District’s M3 Modern Music Invitational, where they were the only middle school band in attendance.
“It felt phenomenal to be out in the open, performing publicly,” said Lee. “The energy was incredible, and we learned so much from the experience.”
When asked how they prepare for performances, both Kanyugi and Lee emphasized the importance of practice, teamwork, and learning from past mistakes.
“It’s about collaboration and keeping your actions perfect,” said Lee. “It’s also key to learn how to improvise.”
More than just a music group, being in a band offers a supportive environment where students build confidence, develop communication skills, and strengthen social connections.
“At this age, we’re prone to social anxiety,” Lee noted. “Being in a band where everybody supports each other helps.”
The students also credit their success to mutual respect, honesty, and perseverance. All values that carry over into their performances and daily lives. Despite limited rehearsal time and the difficulty of their chosen music, the group continues to thrive through dedication and collaboration.
As some members prepare to be promoted from middle school to high school, the band is focused on ending the year strong. Future goals include recording original music, recreating music videos, building public relations for the program, and performing at the Modern Band Showcase on June 4.
“We definitely want to write and record original music,” said Lee. “If you have ideas, song themes, lyrics, or even a chord progression, we'd love to hear from you.”
While the future of Soundbox 6 may involve new members and evolving goals, its legacy is already taking shape. A testament to the power of student-led creativity, modern music education, and the guidance of dedicated educators like Mr. Hayes, who continues to champion student expression through music.
Support Renaissance Academy’s student Rockstar's by donating to the band, and learn more by visiting their website. Links are provided below!
Chaos in The East: Marshall Rohrer, Luis Guzman Lopez, Gavin Howell, Bryce DiDio, Grace Supplee
Fabels: Ella Kanyugi, Abigail Chesnet, Bree Chesnet
4QrtRS: Dante Robertson, Abigail Baxter, Lily CarmonaHoch, Marcel Downing
Minks: Roy Kilbride, Grace Supplee, Bryce DiDio, Roman Forbes
Soundbox 6: Abigail Baxter, Nick Lamce, Mason Lee, Terry Buatchi, Marcel Downing, Emanuel Reyes German, Aiden Chilcoat
Flame Enforcers (Afterschool Club): Nick Logan, Nivi Pakala, Noah Keller, Liam Strouse, Ethan Heikkila, Jaedyn Williams