THINK

Self-described as modern-day philosophers, members of the band Think have had much to ponder since beating out 10 other bands to win the Anne Arundel County Battle of the High School Rock Bands this January.
Sponsored by Archbishop Spalding High School, Severn, the group was only four months in the making when members stood in front of the more than 1,000 spectators at the Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts in Annapolis to compete in front of judges including local musicians, music executives and a DJ to take home a first-place performance and an award for best stage performance.
“I’m not really a nervous person, but 10 minutes before we went on, I laid down backstage,” said 17-year-old Tyler Summerfelt, a Spalding senior who plays rhythm guitar and performs backup vocals for the group.
Spalding senior Charles “Chas” Kavoossi said the group’s 15-minute set “flew by.” The teen, on lead guitar and vocals for the group as well as writer of the band’s songs, recalled how Tyler recently joked with other Think members, “Can you imagine if we won?” The band also includes Spalding junior Davis Rowan on drums and Annapolis Area Christian School student Bryan Ziliox on bass.
Through proceeds, the competition raised some $8,000 which will benefit the schools’ music programs. According to Think members, the group also won studio time and will


write and perform a 25-second song about the dangers of smoking, which will air locally on MTV. “Charles, Davis and Tyler are very talented, and it’s been great to see their hard work and passion for music recognized,” said Shawn Heming, an Archbishop Spalding music teacher. “Throughout the past year, I’ve had the opportunity to watch them develop some of their songs in my classes, and it’s incredible how they’ve developed artistically. I’m definitely a fan.” Chas says when it comes to writing songs and music, he simply “loves to do it.” “I’m not good at sports or school, and I’ll never be the popular, cool kid,” said the teenager, dressed in a T-shirt and flannel shirt. “So instead of partying, I write songs. Once you write one and somebody else says they like it, that’s a really cool feeling.” Although the shaggy-haired foursome’s band is newly formed, most of the members have been playing for years.
Davis, a St. John, Severna Park, parishioner, performs with the Spalding jazz band as well as a jazz combo that performs in coffee shops. He practices with Think four days a week and has two drum lessons each week.
“Because they’re so dedicated, it’s great to seem them rewarded,” said Mary Ellen Rowan, Davis’ mother.
She described the band members, who practice in the basement of her home, as “respectful and polite.” “They work hard, but they have fun together,” she said.
In the basement, their heads bobbing in tune to the music, the teens blast out several songs.
“Music can give you such a feeling of accomplishment after you work so hard for something,” said Davis.
- Catholic Review