The Guitar Club at Salem High School is beginning another year chock-full of lessons and activities. Matthew Adkins, a teacher at the school and the current sponsor of the club, hopes to get more involved with the community this year.
More than 10 years ago, the club was founded by Greg McCurdy, a now-retired teacher with a passion for both science and music. With funding from the Reach Grant Program, McCurdy was able to run the club and eventually passed it on to Adkins. “He and I talked before he retired and he asked if I’d be interested in taking it over and I said absolutely,” said Adkins. Previous experience in building and playing guitars assisted him in working as the lead sponsor of the club, as well as a love for music as a whole.
Currently there are 17 students enrolled in the club. One of which is Abigail Martin, a senior at Salem. “I’m hoping to just learn some general basics and figure out how to mechanically play the guitar better and play stuff by ear,” she said.
Meetings for Guitar Club are held every Tuesday after school in Room 17, and anyone is welcome to become a member. Not only does the club offer guitar lessons and community service opportunities, but a chance to try something new and be with peers outside of school.
“I think my favorite thing is, for all of us, it’s kind of a break from work and school… It’s cool to see the students do something they want to.” Adkins, inspired by his work building electric guitars back in 2018, aims to build ukuleles this year with the students and has already gathered the necessary kits. With plans to get involved with the community, such as cleaning up Lake Salinda, the club has a lot to look forward to this year and will hopefully welcome more students to be a part of it all. Come join the fun!
