New club hopes to bring beginners and experienced musicians together
Failure to launch? Not this time.
After two attempts made to start the club, Guitar Club is now up and running. According to club adviser, art teacher Dave Barcellos, the club first tried to form three years ago but it never got off the ground. Last year, junior Aaron Ho and senior Jin-Min Nam tried to start the club.
“About a year ago we had the idea of starting [Guitar Club],” Ho said. “But then this year [freshmen] Maria [Kosta], [Catherine Lockwood and Kathryn Lindsey] started it first, so we decided to hop on the bandwagon.”
Since then, Guitar Club has hit the ground running. The club had its first meeting on Oct. 13 and earned $150 in membership fees. But aside from all of the administriva, Guitar club is ready to become the center of a musical community.
Guitar club isn’t just another group of students meeting during lunch—it’s a forum for musical creativity and growth. Kosta, who has been playing guitar for only two years, wanted Guitar club to be a place where those who are more experienced can reach out to those who aren’t.
“We’re going to have more experienced people show the others what they can do, and the less experienced people will get a chance to learn things,” Kosta said.
But the club isn’t all about learning—it’s about performing too. Because they meet in Barcellos’ room, they have a recording studio and equipment at their disposal.
“[Nam] and I had the idea to use the studio to make CDs for fundraisers,” Ho said. “Right now [we’re] just learning [how to use] the equipment. After we’re done, we can get people to record. It’s a lengthy process but it’s worth it.”
Aside from CDs and EPs (extended play albums), another way the club hopes to promote itself is through busking. Inspired by indie musicians, Ho thought it would be a good idea to have several experienced club members scattered throughout campus playing guitar with the guitar case open just like a street musician would. The club also hopes to have a promotional concert some time towards the end of this semester or the next semester.
Despite the initial trouble with organizing the club, Guitar club’s musical community is here to stay.
“Organizing musicians is like herding cats,” Barcellos said. “We’re hoping this will be better.”
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