Students in grades 4, 5 and 6 at Pope John Paul II School are learning how to rock out in their after school guitar class. Part of their weekly guitar lesson is practicing their best rock and roll faces. The new class began in February and is designed to provide students with the fundamentals of music and knowledge of musicianship so they can transition to St. Thomas Aquinas High school with musical experience.
"The response has been phenomenal," says Eric Harty, Music Teacher. "The students are a breath of fresh air. They come to class with smiles on their faces and it's a lot of fun."
Grade 5 student Sam Spenser talks about why she joined the class. "Learning to play the guitar is something that I've always wanted to do. I'd like to be able to sit and play the guitar on a rainy day."
"I think playing the guitar is really cool and it's a great hobby," says Grade 5 student Jaden Fontaine Koury.
"I love listening to music every day and now I am learning to play my own music on the guitar. This is my first time learning the guitar and I think it's a lot of fun," says Aaliyah McDonald, grade 4 student.
The class is getting ready for a special performance in May. "The goal is to have the students perform a song during Catholic Education Week (May 1 - 6th), with students from St. Thomas Aquinas High School," says Eric. "We want to give these students the full concert experience with vocals, drums and other instruments."
Teachers Eric Harty and Mike Berdusco teamed up to offer the after school guitar class. They are both teachers at St. Thomas Aquinas High School. They also have support from St. Thomas Aquinas High School students Steven Wolfe, grade 11 and Sha-lyn Beaucage, grade 9.
It's just part of the rock and roll service these teachers provide.
Here is a short video to hear how the class is progressing after only a handful of lessons:
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Students Sam, Brayah, Jayden and Aaliyah are showing of their guitars. They are also learning about proper instrument care. Each student has a guitar assigned to them so they can practice at home.
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Teacher Eric Harty is enjoying the class.
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Students are learning how to rock out in the After School Guitar Class.
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Ty and Jayden are practicing their chords.
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Teachers Eric Harty (left) and Mike Berdusco are volunteering their time to offer students an amazing opportunity to learn to play the guitar. They also have support from volunteer students from St. Thomas Aquinas High School.
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The response to the class was amazing. The program was open to 30 students and the class filled all 30 spaces very quickly.
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