In the world of music, band breakups are almost as legendary as the music itself. So, when the members of NASU announced their sudden split, even the most loyal supporters were left stunned.
Their journey began when senior Bryan Meneses had the bright idea to start a rock band with two of his friends. Unfortunately, the original group didn’t work out, so Meneses quickly scrambled to find new members. Lucky for him, he had the biggest advantage of all—access to Dr. Macaluso’s classroom after school, where seniors Justin Aguilar, Ainar Chavez, and Walter Tobar began to jam together. They instantly clicked as musicians and, from that point, became MACES’ very own rock band.
Recently, as college decisions were being released, one painful topic of conversation kept coming up—what would happen to the band after they graduated? Every band member knew this would affect their relationship as a group, as they would soon be heading off to college, and Tobar would be leaving for the military. As the pressures of preparing for college increased, so did the tension between the band. The painful decision was made to kick Walter out and disband altogether. “Considering Walter was enlisting in the military, it was sudden and unexpected, but we all knew we’d be busy,” Meneses said.
Before making their decision final, the band reconsidered breaking up and instead thought about taking a break. “I definitely wanted to continue, and so I really pushed for the idea of taking a break rather than disbanding. I love playing music with these guys; it means everything to me,” Meneses said. It was incredibly difficult, as they had become so close and shared the same passion for music. They were constantly reminded of all the memories they created together. “Being in a band is like being in a relationship,” Mr. Collins said, making it much harder to let go.
Macaluso expressed disappointment at the news, acknowledging the band’s growth and the bonds they formed. While the band members faced the challenge of deciding their future, Dr. Macaluso, who had supported them throughout their musical journey, reflected on their growth and achievements. “It has been a privilege to work with Ainar, Bryan, Justin, and Walter. As NASU, they’ve built a strong musical identity, but they are also incredible individuals and talented musicians. I’ve witnessed their growth as a team, constantly supporting one another,” Macaluso said.
As the members continue to create their own paths in life, they will always look back on this chapter, reminiscing about the good times they had. Even though they may no longer play as a band, their shared passion for music will never be lost. “While I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with NASU, I also want to wish all the seniors the very best in their future journeys. I believe these four students have a bright future ahead of them,” Macaluso said.
