Youth band to perform at Calvary Lutheran variety show Saturday

Combining music and faith

When Immanuel Lutheran Church in Honey Creek was looking for a band to play at a special event, two pairs of brothers discovered a mutual interest in music.

Three years later, Low Rent District performs regularly at the Heart of Nashville restaurant in Guthrie and has been seen at area church picnics and private parties.

The band of teenagers also will be featured in the "Entertainment: Calvary Style" variety show at 2 p.m. Saturday at Calvary Lutheran High School.

Members Daniel Bollinger and Silas Luetkemeyer are students at Calvary, the older Michael Bollinger graduated from there, and the younger Samuel Luetkemeyer will be attending next year.

Daniel and Silas also are members of the school's chapel band, although they provide the music without the vocals.

"I felt I had a responsibility to sign up," Silas said.

For Daniel, he said "it's intimidating to play in front of people you know."

They agreed combining their musical interest with their faith is "pretty cool."

Low Rent District plays both sacred music and secular rock. The youth enjoy playing a variety of genres, expanding even into jazz.

In the works, the band is developing seven originals to be recorded on their first CD later this year.

"If opportunity knocks (again), we have something ready," Silas said.

Daniel said, "I love music; if it works out as a career, that would be awesome."

Silas, a sophomore, plays bass guitar and is the lead singer. His brother plays piano.

Daniel, a junior, plays drums, his brother plays guitar, and they both provide vocals.

At the Calvary variety show, the chapel band will play three songs.

Low Rent District will play some of its standards and some songs they've not pulled out for awhile.

As Calvary celebrates its 10th year, the young school continues to add new traditions and opportunities for the students. The chapel band is one of those.

Silas and Daniel agreed they are pleased a freewill offering will be collected at the variety show to improve the sound and lighting in the chapel.

"We hope we can help bring back the tradition of live music," Silas said.