Wavelength, founded by Associate Director of Admission David Bloom, began as a small group of students who shared a passion for creating music together. They have since performed at a variety of school events, including their Jan. 10 concert “Unplugged,” which was a great success.
On Apr. 25, the Wavelength Music Festival was an outdoor celebration that featured diverse musical genres. With multiple student-led bands, the festival brought together student musicians, faculty, and even talented alumni back to the familiar Vanderlip lawn for a musical reunion.
The festival was split into two sections: an opening segment showcasing independent artists and small music groups, followed by a headlining performance from the Wavelength ensemble.
The first portion of the festival featured a large range of shows with students performing everything from jazz music to pop songs. “With over 10 performances, anyone who was willing to contribute applied and performed,” says Alexis Kim ’26, explaining the accessibility of the festival and the diverse range of creativity for enthusiastic musicians.
Sundial, one of the featured student bands, performed five songs, including “Hard Times” by Paramore, and left a lasting impression on the audience. Guitarist Noah Ro ’28 describes Wavelength as “a space that is open to a range of styles and ideas in music,” something that contributes to Sundial’s unique performance. He also recalled loving to play music with friends he usually doesn’t interact with outside of music, emphasizing how Wavelength creates a space for community.
For Ro, the guitar’s flexibility is a big part of that experience: “I love [guitar] because it’s really versatile across genres… it can be played solo and in an ensemble.” During the festival, he added, “My favorite part was performing with my band for the third time this year and for the last time with our drummer Gawyn Ross ’26, who is graduating this year.”
For many members of the audience, the small group performances caught their attention. Singer Smiley Zou ’27, who performed “ilikeitilikeitilikeit,” shared, “I like small groups because they feel more personal, and you can really connect with both the music and the people you’re performing with.” Beyond ensemble performances, the festival created space for individual talents to shine as well.
Arguably more important than musical talent is the sense of community that Wavelength creates. “There are a lot of people from different grades… It gave me a chance to meet a lot of new people,” explained Vaidehi Setty ’29, highlighting how the group extends beyond just music and into building connections across the school.
By the second half of the festival, the mood remained uplifting, with the audience still fully engaged despite light rain. “Since the sun isn’t shining, let your soul shine,” said Paige Leshney ’28 from the stage. The energy carried through all the way through the Wavelength ensemble pieces that concluded the festival.
