Wanted: Old guitars, keyboards, amps for school rock band
Miscouche school rock band looking for instruments to allow more students to take part
Miscouche Consolidated School is looking for instruments so it can expand the number of students playing in the school's rock band.
Music teacher Courtney Mullen says right now there are only enough instruments to offer this extra-curricular activity to fourteen students in grades 7, 8 and 9, and many of those instruments are ones she's borrowed from family and friends.
Mullen thinks she could easily double the number of kids involved, if she had more instruments.
"We thought if there were any old instruments lying around in closets or basements — guitars, keyboards, bass guitars or amps — that people might want to see go to good use, if they're not putting them to use," said Mullen.
The school budget is tight, so purchasing the instruments wasn't really an option, according to Mullen, especially given this is an extra-curricular activity.
'Makes the day a little better'
Grade 7 student Rebekah Brown sings in the band. She'd like to try playing guitar too but there aren't enough guitars for her to do that right now.
"I love music, and I love singing, it's my passion," said Brown.
"It can take you away to so many places. It's almost like being in a dream, for me."
She often finds herself humming the songs they're learning in her classes in the afternoon.
Classmate Colton Paugh said getting to play the drum kit at lunch is one of his favourite things at school.
"All week I'm looking forward to rock band," he said.
"Makes the day a little bit better."
Opens up chance for junior rock band
Having more instruments would also mean Mullen could add a junior rock band for kids in grades 4, 5 and 6, and they could try these instruments out during regular class time as well.
Brown thinks it would be a great experience for the younger students.
"Music is the best, and I think everybody should be able to do it. I think everybody should be able to have a chance."
Paugh agrees.
"They'd start to have a little bit more of a passion for music, and I think they'd like it."
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