Student band Arcadian Valley is planning to perform at Pascack Valley’s Junior Prom on March 22. The band consists of four PV juniors: lead singer and guitarist Thomas Santos, drummer Michael Giordano, bassist Juan Zapateiro, and guitarist and pianist Vin Coglianese. 

Managed by Nico Mercado—another PV junior—and formed during the summer of 2022 by Giordano and Santos, Arcadian Valley considers themselves “an indie rock cover band,” Santos said. 

Each Arcadian Valley musician maintains a different rhythmic role. 

Giordano has been playing percussion since elementary school and started playing a drum kit in sixth grade. He says his role in Arcadian Valley is to “keep the tempo and play cool fills [which are improvisation beats during songs].”  

Coglianese said he mainly plays the rhythm guitar, but he will also play the piano during Junior Prom. 

Santos, a member of PV’s Jazz Band, plays many of the lead guitar parts while also maintaining the role of lead singer. 

Zapateiro—a member of PV’s Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Chamber Jazz Band, Drum Line, and Valley’s chapter of Tri-M Music Honor Society—plays bass for the band. 

The band’s first performance together was at Pascack Valley Valentine’s Day Talent Night in Feb. 2023.

Coglianese called it “[their] first four-person debut.” 

Junior Prom will be Arcadian Valley’s second gig, but it will be the first big performance for the band. 

“I’m excited,” Giordano said. “I really haven’t played in front of a crowd like that, so it’s something different.”

In terms of exposure, Coglianese says he’s “hoping that playing in the prom and everybody seeing [them] will kind of kickstart [the band].” 

The Junior Class Council has given Arcadian Valley a 30-minute slot right after dinner to play six songs.

Zapateiro describes the set list as mostly mellow rock; regarding the popularity of the songs, he said that “[the songs] are pretty easy to recognize when you hear them.” 

As musicians, the band expresses the impact they hope to make through their music and at prom. 

“I think our main goal is just to really hype up the crowd,”  Santos said. “We’re going to be performing before the DJ comes back on, and we’re just trying to make it a fun time for everyone.” 

Manager Mercado has helped the band book additional gigs and events after prom. The band plans on playing at Hillsdale’s Got Talent, the Rolling Pin Cafe, and the Relay For Life event at Pascack Valley this April.

“I just want to set them up for success,” Mercado said. “I try to get that consensus of what the band wants and try to make it happen.”