Ruben Pomerantz/staff
The fourth-floor gentleman, made up of four School Within a School (SWS) students, frequently appears in shows at the SWS Lounge.
On the night of December 22nd, the quiet fourth-floor hallway was filled with the sound of beautiful music as students practiced their instruments. One band in particular was the loudest: The Fourth Floor Gents.
The Fourth Floor Gents is a band made up of four students from School Within a School (SWS). Keyboardist Junior Xenophon Papamichail. Upright bassist, Junior Nathan Ives. and drummer Junior Rafa Mendes Shippen. This band has become a staple of SWS lounge shows and events.
Ives said the band was formed out of a collective love for the musical arts.
“We got to know each other and realized we shared an interest in music,” said Ives. “SWS was doing a live show in the lounge every month and I thought I’d try and play that song. So we met, we practiced the song, and that’s where it came from,” said Ives.
According to Mendez-Sippen, the lounge show brings together the SWS community and features performances by students.
“Basically, you can play anything at an open mic organized by SWS,” says Mendez-Sippen. Mostly music, but there is karaoke, poetry, and acting. It’s a lot of fun and a lot of fun. ”
SWS Junior’s Ari Reyes said the band plays at most lounge shows.
“I know they’re coming, and I’m looking forward to seeing them,” Reyes said.
Mendez-Sippen said he enjoys how easy The Fourth Floor Gents can be as a band.
“I really enjoy being in a casual band. ,” says Mendez-Sippen.
Ives said he wasn’t sure the band would continue after high school.
“I think we can always come back and play something, at least at the SWS reunion,” said Ives. “I think we can do our best to keep the band alive for as long as we can.”
