Nearly every day, before and after school, the hallways of Milton High come alive with the sounds of student musicians. From violins and pianos to the occasional recorder, students practice, take lessons, and perform, filling the air with a diverse symphony of melodies.

However, none can be compared to the community of over a dozen students gathered in an everyday music classroom for one purpose: to play the kazoo.

The Kazooligans, Milton High’s resident kazoo choir, are a group of dedicated individuals to the long-ridiculed craft of the kazoo. They meet weekly and have performed at numerous official school concerts.

Cofounder Dan Winterberg initially sought to create a jazz group “with exotic instruments.” The idea morphed to surround just one of these unorthodox instruments and eventually developed into the concept of a kazoo-based musical group.

After gaining the approval of music teachers who, in the worlds of Winterberg, “thought [it] was funny,” this strangely fascinating idea became a reality.

Their song selection is also wildly unorthodox, ranging from “Funky Town” to “Super Mario World,” and they even plan on playing “Copacabana” at an upcoming performance.

Even though the Kazooligans are 100% serious about what they do, that doesn’t mean everyone else is on the same page. Jay Serwetman, a Kazooligans member, said they were “the only ensemble that got laughs during our performance.”

Winterberg and the others have accepted this sentiment, saying, “We know it’s silly.”

In fact, the promise to not take oneself seriously is far more valuable than the kazoos themselves. “You do absolutely have to acknowledge that this is not a serious cause,” said Serwetman. “It’s a kazoo choir; it’s not going to be professional.” Being able to laugh at yourself and have fun playing music is the most important part.

The Kazooligans embody a unique mentality, a rare combination of extreme dedication and humor. Their passion for the strange and unusual serves as a reminder that no matter the stakes, nobody should take themselves too seriously.