Besides the oxygen, nitrogen, freedom and other elements that normally comprise the lunchtime atmosphere, there was something else mixed into the air: music.

As a part of Awareness Week, organized by Advanced Peer Counseling, the band Givers and Takers performed on the Great Lawn Jan. 12. Two of its four members are Oak Park alumni: Zack Greenwald and Mark Pollack. The other members are Drew Bruchs and Alan Krespan.

The efforts of Givers and Takers did not go unnoticed.

“[The concert] was great. There were way more people hanging out and listening to music than we thought [there would be] and it was a really great time,” Greenwald said.

Sophomore Olivia Winck described the band as “really chill,” and senior Vincent Tran complimented the band’s “really loungy vibe.”

Both students said they would check out the band at home.

Spanish teacher Michael Van Slooten went on to say that the band “definitely [has] a late 60s to early 70s influence with modernity thrown on top.”

Some students broke out of their customary lunch routines to take a look at the band.

“I usually sit in [biology teacher Winnie Litten’s] room [during lunch], but since there’s music, I decided to go for a change in scene and see what’s going on,” senior Damoun Govargiz said.

The key element that drew students to the Lawn was the atmosphere.“I just think it’s cool that everyone’s coming out here on the Great Lawn, being together as a high school,” senior Nathaniel Driggs said.

In addition to students, many teachers gathered to appreciate the music of these (or rather, their) former students.

“I love live music,” economics teacher D.J. Cook, who once had Greenwald as a student, said. “I’m glad the school is doing something like this.”

Greenwald said he was pleased to have had the opportunity to perform at his alma mater.

“Oak Park is a warm place,” Greenwald said. “Thanks for having us.”