by Adam Levine ’20

Tucked away between the Valero gas station and the houses lining 108 on the way to Sherwood lies the Sandy Spring museum, a local historical gem holding events such as the annual Strawberry Festival, Teen Coffeehouse held by Project Change, and community open mic, which is held by senior Eve Crompton and her family.

“My family proposed and started this open mic at the Sandy Spring Museum about a year ago,” Crompton said. “My dad had recently invested in a sound system, and we wanted to give the community a chance to have fun with it, too!”

The open mic, which takes place about every three months, is open to the public and brings together musicians of all different ages and genres, from folk music to pop to soul.

As the emcee of the event, Crompton introduces each act and with notebook in hand, organizes the set list, which is the master list of each performer and the order in which they will share their talent. But Crompton and her family put a lot of work into each open mic behind the scenes, too.

“My whole family will begin to prepare maybe a month in advance, letting friends and family know about the upcoming event, printing and hanging fliers around Olney and Ashton and Sherwood, and practicing the numbers we want to perform as a family band, which my dad has christened ‘The Cromptones,’” Crompton said. “Then, on the day of the event, my dad will trek over to the museum, lugging with him our family’s soundboard and speakers and instruments and much more, and begin setting up. Sometimes he gets there as early as 12 and starts plugging in wires and sound checking hours before the performers begin to arrive. My sisters and mom and I will then meet him there after school to help finish setting up.”

Through the open mic, Crompton has experienced all different types of performances, musical genres, and people.

“I like the wild mix of performers the open mics bring together, as well as the safe space for creativity and uniqueness that their presence creates. Everyone is welcome to perform, no matter their experience or skill level,” Crompton said. “We’ve had Hungarian folk trios, elderly blues stars, energetic one-man bands, as well as a fabulous selection of Sherwood talent, too. Hosting these open mics has also helped me get closer to my family as we’ve worked together as a team to bring them to life.”

Even before the open mic, music has seemingly always been a part of Crompton’s life, starting violin at age 5 and music always being encouraged by her family, who Crompton likened to the von Trapps from “The Sound of Music.”

Crompton’s musical talents find expression in Sherwood band and choir classes, where she plays tuba and sings; Rock ‘n’ Roll, in which she sings and plays the violin; and playing violin in the Maryland Classic Youth Orchestra at the Strathmore. Music has always been a part of Crompton’s life and it doesn’t seem like she’ll stop anytime soon.

“I don’t plan on majoring in music in college,” Crompton said. “I would love to play in ensembles on campus, or perhaps pursue a minor in a music-related subject. I want to go to med school, but I can’t ever see myself completely leaving music behind; it’s too much a part of who I am.”