For the first time in York High School history, multiple musicians from York, with the help of Music Teacher and York Album Project Coordinator, Mr. Chris Gemkow, wrote, recorded, and released an album on April 21, titled: “We Are the Music,” featuring 15 original songs by different musical groups at York.

The music on the album was recorded by professional audio engineer, Tim Flynn, of AudioWalls Studio in Lombard, IL. York musicians collaborating on the project valued the experience and process of working with Flynn.

“As a songwriter, it was cool to get into the studio and experience the process of seeing something that we’ve been working so hard on for such a long time come alive,” said senior Bobby Mueller, guitarist for Bad Brothers.

“The time I spent recording my song in the studio with Tim Flynn was the best seven hours of my life,” said sophomore Jenna Garcia, member of Jenna&Kayman. “The studio felt like home; it was like a musician’s paradise. I never knew how hard it was to record a song in a studio. It took almost an hour just to record the drums. Tim really knows what he’s doing and he even helped us put the finishing touches on our song.”

In the future, Gemkow is eager and hopes that more albums come out of York that highlights the “incredible musical talent that exists at York High School.”

“It’s been a great experience for me and all the people involved in making ‘We Are the Music’ a reality,” said Gemkow.

To celebrate the release of their new album, on Saturday, May 9 at Schubas in downtown Chicago, the York Album Project will hold an album release party for all ages which will include performances by the featured musical groups. Tickets are available for five dollars at the door or through Schubas website.

Can’t make the party? The album can be download for $5 or streamed for free on the York Album Project’s website at http://yorkalbumproject.bandcamp.com. All proceeds go towards the cost of producing the York Album Project’s next album in 2016.