Drop the Mic: Students at Holmes STEM Academy release the song HOLMES

After a long hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, Bangtown’s Studio on the Go has started to work with students at YouthQuest again.

“We are excited to see one of our longtime partners back at YouthQuest sites,” says Nefertari Jones, director of Afterschool Education at Flint & Genesee Education & Talent. “Through Studio on the Go, students are exposed to music production and sound engineering. The process also allows them to work on other skills such as literacy.”

Recently, Studio on the Go worked with students at Holmes STEM Academy during intersession through YouthQuest to write, create and produce a song. In one week, students learned how to structure a song, write lyrics, count measures, approach a microphone and work as a team. In the end, they created something they were proud of.

Kamari White, a YouthQuest student in sixth grade, said he was very happy when he first heard the song.

“My favorite part was making the beat and rapping,” says White, who aspires to be a rapper. “I hope my dad can take me to a studio so I can rap more.”

White’s passion for music is not unheard of to Pharlon Randle, owner of Bangtown Productions & Recording.

“This club can be the spark that these kids didn’t know they had,” says Randle. “There are kids from YouthQuest that are now pursuing their careers in music that started with our club in 2009.”

Other students who participated in the program include

• Clelan Jones
• Hezekiah Vincent
• Az’arionna Banks
• Danijah Woods
• Armoni Morgan
• Cavariiah Dobson-El
• Janiya Meeks

Hear the student-produced song HOLMES below:

YouthQuest is made possible through the generous support of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and 21st Century Community Learning Centers.