Three Windham High School seniors—Brooke Bergeron, Matthew Pancoast, and Lucy Rekart—were among twelve high school musicians selected to perform at the NH All-State Modern Band Festival in Manchester this past October. The students captivated audiences with their outstanding performances, showcasing their love for modern rock in a thrilling concert.

The competitive selection process surprised many participants. "I didn't trust myself to be good enough last year. This year, I put it out of my mind and didn't get my hopes up," said Pancoast. Rekart agreed, noting her surprise at being selected for her first year. Both credited Bergeron and their teacher, Mr. Leister, for encouraging them to audition.

For Bergeron, this marked her second year in the festival. "Playing guitar spiked my interest to play with other people," she explained. "Also, last year I just had a lot of fun." Her confidence had grown significantly since her first performance. "I was very surprised the first year," Bergeron recalled. Between festivals, she performed numerous gigs that prepared her for this year's show.

The 2025 festival brought some changes. "It was pretty similar, but this year we definitely expanded our genres," Bergeron noted, adding that the band had less preparation time than the previous year. The diverse setlist reflected this expansion—ranging from Tears for Fears' "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" to Sabrina Carpenter's "Espresso," with classics like Metallica's "Nothing Else Matters" and Guns N' Roses' "Sweet Child O' Mine" in between.

Pancoast highlighted that song as one of his proudest moments: "We didn't really have to work on it, we could just hit it out of the park first try, and that was really cool." For Rekart, stepping outside her comfort zone proved rewarding. She particularly enjoyed playing "Home At Last" by Steely Dan, calling it a fun departure from her usual style.

The festival's collaborative nature taught valuable lessons. "Everyone has better chemistry on stage if we're all nice and like each other," Rekart observed, emphasizing the importance of making sacrifices for the band's success. "Learning how to practice with a band and play with people, it's definitely a skill you learn," Bergeron added.

The students appreciated the festival's student-led approach, where participants were involved in choosing songs and setup, giving them ownership beyond just performing. The four singers, three guitarists, two bassists, one pianist, and two drummers delivered a memorable show that included:

This performance represents just one achievement in the ongoing musical journeys of Bergeron, Pancoast, and Rekart—three talented musicians whose dedication continues to make Windham High School proud.