For many high school students, both sports and music can play big roles in their lives. But for four Glen Rock High School seniors, their passion for baseball and music has led them to expand their friendship on and off the field and the stage. Oliver Hegyi '24, Daniel Leder '24, Ethan Reiman '24, and Ryan Wolfe '24 are not only GRHS baseball teammates, but also the sole members of their band, ODE.
While the four have known each other since attending Kindergarten/1st Grade together at Central Elementary School, their band came about in 2017 when then-5th graders, Oliver, Danny, and Ethan, wanted to perform in the first annual Central Elementary School Talent Show. They decided to start a band and perform “7 Years” by Lucas Graham; the rest was history.
In ODE, Danny is on lead guitar, Oliver plays keyboard and guitar, Ethan is on drums, and Ryan plays bass guitar. Oliver, Ryan, and Danny sing lead and backup, switching between songs. In the baseball realm, all four seniors have participated in various programs and teams since their t-ball days. Oliver, Ethan, and Ryan have been a part of the GRHS Baseball program since freshman year, and Danny joined this year as the “sound guy,” playing music at home games during warmups, walkup songs, and between innings.
“Both sports and music are such an integral part of my life,” Oliver explained, “so being able to do what I love with my best friends makes it ten times better.” Ethan agreed, saying, “It’s really cool that we can kindle our teamwork in baseball and have that translate to the band environment and vice versa. Being able to communicate with one another on the field and stage just by looking and giving a nod or gesture says a lot about our bond and friendship.”
Ryan reiterated how special their friendship has been, growing up together since elementary school. “My favorite part about it all is being able to be around each other doing what we love in both baseball and music,” he continued. “There’s no one else I would rather share my interests and grow my talents with.” Danny elaborated by saying, “Coming into the baseball program this year allowed me to truly have a blast playing music with the guys I’ve been doing it with for years, and expand on our friendship in an entirely new environment.”
The song choice of that first band performance was fitting, as now, “7 Years” later, the GRHS seniors will embark on their post-graduation journeys. Oliver Hegyi is attending Emory University, majoring in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology on a pre-med track; Daniel Leder is attending Michigan State University to study Advertising Management; Ethan Reiman is headed to University of Vermont Honor College to major in Biomedical Engineering; and Ryan Wolfe is attending University of Tennessee to study Architecture. Although they will be spread across the country for college, the four friends hope to pick up where they left off when they return home to Glen Rock for school breaks and the summer.
Oliver, Danny, Ethan, and Ryan jointly send their heartfelt thanks to their families, friends, music teachers, coaches, and supporters for helping them get to where they are today. Baseball season may be over, but don’t miss your chance to check out ODE performing:
- Friday, June 14 at 6:30 p.m. - Charity Show at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Glen Rock to benefit Paterson Food Drive
- Saturday, June 15 at 8:45 p.m. at the GRHS Football Field for Relay for Life Walk
- Thursday, July 4 in the Glen Rock Fourth of July Parade
