For some people, nothing parallels the rush that comes from making music, and NHS’s Black and Gold Band gives students the opportunity to experience that musical rush.

The Black and Gold Band is a cover band at NHS that plays popular songs from almost any genre. They play for events at the high school like the mini-olympics, basketball games and Mr. Noblesville. Sometimes the band even receives offers to play gigs outside of the school.

“You never know where these experiences lead to for students,” orchestra teacher and director of the Black and Gold Band David Hartman said.

Junior Alicia Macomber plays bass guitar in the group, starting last school year as a sophomore. She had played and performed bass guitar before she was in Black and Gold Band, and she doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon.

“It’s not gonna end with high school, I can tell you that,” Macomber said.

Performing is important to Macomber, whether it’s with the Black and Gold Band or with other cover bands.

“When I can, hopefully next semester or next year, [I’ll] at least [be] playing in other bars, playing with other bands,” Macomber said. “I already play up in Michigan when [me and my family] go up to Michigan. I’ve got family members and bandmates that I grew up around that I play with whenever we’re up there.”

One of the Black and Gold Band’s drummers, senior Tanner Bellomy, also wants to keep playing music. He plans on going to college for music education after high school. He is taking all of the music classes as he can and thought he’d add Black and Gold Band to his resume.

“I’ve wanted to be in it for a while,” Bellomy said. “I just didn’t think that my schedule would work with it. But they say that the schedule’s fine . . .  so I decided to try out for it, and I’m thankful that I got in.”

The group also gives students a way to meet new people with an interest in performing music in a band.

“I’m really glad that I’m with the people that I’m with because they’re really fun to work with,” Bellomy said. “They’re just entertaining people. They’re my people.”