 |
|
|
|
|
  
|
Ax fever on the rise in Rankin Darrell Greer Northern News Services Published Wednesday, May 23, 2012
The 14 guitars were purchased with funding from the Rankin Inlet Public Health Strategy as part of Maani Ulujuk Ilinniarvik's (MUI) RespectED antibully program. Teacher Thomas Lynch said the idea is, basically, to promote artists and musicians within the school. He said the new instruments enabled him to run a guitar club in addition to his integrated music and arts class. "Playing guitar, and music in general, is huge here," said Lynch. "This just took off as soon as I started it this year. "Before this grant, we only had a really kind of grimy set of guitars here, but the kids still loved playing them. "But, even though they played a lot, they always complained the quality wasn't there and they wanted new instruments, and they'd often bring their own guitars in." Lynch said the keyboard has also become popular with some MUI students. He said music provides another way for the students to express themselves. "Not everybody's into sports here in Rankin. "This gives the kids a chance to explore other avenues of developing their talent and finding their voice." Lynch, who is in his first year teaching Grade 8 and art 10 class in Rankin, said art 10 focuses on actual art such as drawing and painting. He said the students incorporate music into their integrated arts class. "Essentially, Grade 7 and Grade 8 students have six choices of material with the integrated arts program and guitar has been extremely popular within those choices. "A lot of the kids who have chosen guitar - and a few on piano - didn't know how to play when they started. "They were, kind of, inspired by the playing of some of the other kids, so they wanted to take my class. "I start them out by teaching them how to read music and play chords, and it's been an incredible experience." Lynch said he's blown away by how well the program's been going so far. He said beginners and more accomplished players share the same class. "I like to have them intermingling because any guitar player loves to help out others and show off their skills. "So it's actually quite nice to have advanced students in there. "It allows the other students to see different genres of music being played and everyone has different tastes." Lynch said two electric guitars were among the new ones purchased; a Fender Stratocaster and a Flying V, which the students love. He said a bass guitar is on its way from Vancouver. "Rock is definitely one of the most popular genres of music among the students. "But there's still some interest in country and western, with a lot of Johnny Cash being played. "I find you should try to appreciate all kids of music anyway."
|
