SoundCheck: Youth Social Justice Band

About

SoundCheck is a band of select high school musicians and singers creating and performing music to fight for social justice. The students work with music educators, prominent singer-songwriters and anti-racist educators to develop original material that tackles racism, injustice and hate. The band regularly performs and facilitates workshops at regional high schools using art and music as a catalyst to spark dialogue, action and awareness. Vocalists, poets, rappers, DJs and instrumentalists of all kinds are welcome. Reading music is not a requirement but is helpful. This ensemble is by audition only. 

Teaching artist: Brian Boyes

Brian Boyes is an award-winning educator, musician and composer. For over 25 years he has cultivated powerful and innovative learning experiences for students, supporting them to create and share original music + art. Brian is the founder and Creative Director of Soundcheck. 

Vocal Coach: Stefanie Weigand 

Stefanie Weigand (she/her) has served as President and Membership Chair of the VT chapter of ACDA (American Choral Directors Association) and as ACDA's Eastern Region Youth R&R Chair. She currently serves as the Chair of the NAfME Council for Choral Education. She enjoys working as a presenter, clinician, and guest conductor across the region and directs the Polaris Singers at Northern VT University - Johnson, where she also teaches musical theatre. Stefanie is the Director of Education with Music-COMP, a non-profit organization that promotes creativity and teaches composition to both students and teachers. Stefanie toured nationally with a Children’s Theatre Company and worked on stage and off as a performer, pit musician, and music director in New York. Since moving to Vermont, she has appeared as a vocalist, pianist, and music director for various organizations including TURNmusic, the Vermont Philharmonic, Stowe Theatre Guild, Lyric Theatre, Music-COMP, Apex Ensemble, the Green Mountain Mahler Festival, The Saturn People's Sound Collective, Burlington Civic Symphony Orchestra, the Green Mountain Opera Festival, and more.