January 8, 2024
By BARTON HENLEY
Rutherford County Schools
Teachers Alexis Derryberry and Caleb Littleton work with students each day to help them learn different musical instruments.
Currently, both Riverdale and Stewarts Creek High Schools offer guitar classes for students to take.
Addison Vogt - freshman at Stewarts Creek - said she really enjoys the class.
“I thought it would be an interesting class,” Vogt said. “It will help me get an idea of the music industry and whether or not it’s something I want to do for a career.”
Both Derryberry and Littleton create an environment for students to learn and ask questions about music.
“It’s a great skill to have. I’m thankful for the teacher we have,” Stewarts Creek senior AJ Jimcoily said. “I definitely think Ms. Derryberry is an expert in the field of music.”
In addition to guitar, Riverdale also offers a Beat Laboratory class that uses guitar classes as a prerequisite.
“The beat lab class gives us flexibility in learning,” teacher Caleb Littleton said. “It allows students to have their own creative freedom.”
Ephram Walton - sophomore at Riverdale - said he has been able to take away skills to use now.
“Most of the beats you hear in music sound simple but they’re very complex,” Walton said. “ I’ve really taken that away from this class.”
Students in this class use start of the art equipment and software to create very intricate percussion beats to use to create songs.
Riverdale senior Miguel Wade said the class has been a great outlet for him to be creative.
“The class has heightened the appreciation for music that I hear,” Wade said. “It’s not an easy art to learn.”