Each student at OH is unique and has varying interests, so choosing prom music can be tricky, as highlighted in last year’s 42Fifty opinion article about music at school dances. However, by incorporating all student opinions, OH Prom on May 3 can be enjoyable for everyone.
“We always look at different DJs before prom but tend to go with one we have had success with in prior years,” said Jennifer Keto, OH teacher and prom organizer. “They send out a playlist link that we then send out to juniors and seniors. Students can then add the songs that they want to the list.”
Every year, students hold varying opinions about the prom music and whether they enjoyed it, as there is a wide scope of music out there to choose from, which is why the choice of DJ is significant as well as student input.
“I would love for this year’s prom to add more Mexicano music and a wider variety than the same playlist replayed over the past years,” said OH senior Andrea Campos. “We need a bit of new and dancing music, not just the popular and singing ones.”
The music played at prom carries the vibe for the rest of the night. Students may feel underwhelmed and leave earlier if the music is repetitive or only of the same genre.
“I think music helps set the atmosphere, you wouldn’t play 90’s grunge during a theme based upon modern times, so if you want something fantasy and classical you would play fantasy and classical music,” said OH junior Benjamin Alexander Coker.
Some students believe that the music should fit in with the theme to contribute to the overall experience and feeling of Once Upon a Time, while others believe that the music should be more familiar and expansive.
“I attended prom last year for my Junior year and I think the music was amazing, there were lots of 2010 songs that were played which felt nostalgic for lots of people my age so it was fun to dance to,” said OH senior Makenzie Benz.
Overall, having a variety of music that hasn’t been played for years before will contribute to students’ experience positively and make their memories at prom stand out and glow.
“We need songs to dance to,” said OH senior Nella Bala, “not just jump up and down like FE!N and Carnival last year.”
This is my first year as a staff reporter on 42Fifty and I am a senior at OHS. I am also involved in NEHS, Best Buddies, and Reading Corner at the school and in my free time I volunteer at the Naperville Area Humane Society. You can contact me by emailing 42Fifty@sd308.org and putting my name in the subject line. We welcome comments on our articles and feedback on our publication!
