Homecoming 2015: Battle of the Decades

Where there is music there is joy! This event dripped with energy and drew people in. Eastern Christian’s first ever Homecoming Battle of the Decades Band Competition was a roaring success. Six fantastically talented bands registered for the event but only one walked away with the $500 cash prize and 2 foot trophy.  Scott Steenstra’s band, Cymbal of Ambiguity, kicked off the night with great energy launching a reprise of Back to the Future’s version of Johnny B. Goode. It was a fan favorite and set the bar early. Not to be outshined teacher Rebekah Sankey grabbed your attention with a soulful account of At Last with the EC House Band followed by a riveting show by the Bethany Worship team bringing the crowd to their feet.

The second half of the evening continued to throw down one amazing performance after another. The Covenant Band changed up the genre and made Blue Grass pop with a spectacular rendition of Ring of Fire and Man of Constant Sorrow, they were the runner up to the winner and by only one vote difference from the audience. Eric Martin, from Brightside, surprised guests when he came out hard rapping Eminem’s 05’ hit and once again switched the genre shaking down the house. It was The Empty Frame, led by Kyle Vandenburg, that brought it all together with a tight performance including original songs and covers of hits from the 90’s and 00’s. Justin Vierling & John Prall, guest judges, deliberated over the bands and agreed with the audience vote that The Empty Frame won the Battle of the Decades making them the first winners of this soon to be repeated competition.

David Zuidema, MC for the evening, joked about his disappointed that the Battle of the Decades was not actually an epic sword flinging fight but as the night continued it was clear that the bands were not going to give away their chance at winning. Each band fought hard and it showed. The talent was impressive, the songs catchy and the crowed hopping. EC alum walk with swagger as there was another reason to be proud of their alma mater, this school’s got rhythm!