Imagine a Friday morning in Commons, where musicians strum their guitars, creating and innovating songs live while students grab a fresh cup of coffee or simply vibe to the tunes of Tunes with the Cat.
At West Chicago Community High School, Student Council is restoring Tunes with the Cat, a tradition designed to uplift school spirit before class. Once a month, students and staff can showcase their musical talents through a live performance, either solo or as part of a band, using the instruments of their choice.
“I love that students can showcase talents that otherwise we may never see in school. There are young people who can sing and play instruments in this building that may not fit into the music program,” teacher and previous performer Mark Poulterer said.
According to Fikis, Tunes with that Cat was a popular event when it ran in the past.
“It was really kind of cool that we did, especially before COVID. And it was just kind of nice on a Friday,” Student Council adviser Candace Fikis said.
Initially, Tunes with the Cat was highly successful, but Fikis has struggled to bring it back in recent years. Now, with renewed enthusiasm, there is a push to restart the tradition—after all, Fikis believes there is no such thing as too much school spirit. The event’s revival is further motivated by WEGO’s improved sound system, which will provide higher-quality audio compared to past performances that relied on a basic microphone.
“We’ve had somebody who just brought their own music and sang, someone who sang a cappella… We even had some teachers and students perform together, which was really cool,” Fikis said.
Music spans countless genres and has the power to bring people together, regardless of background.
“There’s been jazz, country, pop, and we even had a small mariachi band perform. One of them was a rock band, so that was kind of cool. We had a Christian rock band too. That was cool, so we are open to everything and anything,” Fikis said.
Fikis encourages students and staff at WEGO to participate in Tunes with the Cat, especially those with a passion for music. Performances are scheduled from 7:20 to 7:55 a.m., providing entertainment while students wait for class to begin.
Signing up is simple—Fikis is available for questions or to help interested participants get involved.
“They may or may not be in the band, orchestra, or choir; however, this is a totally different venue. They may be playing rock, jazz, country, or techno. You never know what you are going to experience on a Friday morning during Tunes with the Cat,” Poulterer said.
