Have you ever listened to AC/DC followed by Muddy Waters? What about a shot of Taylor Swift with a New York Philharmonic chaser? In Hackley’s Music Club, led by juniors Nina Zeltser and Avaline Derby, your window to the world of music is as wide as the world itself. Unfettered by the barriers of genre, all music tastes — both advanced and novice — are welcome and fostered.
The Music Club’s roots are already embedded in the Hackley community, as it is an evolution of last year’s Song Writing Club. According to Nina and Avaline, they desired to further expand their music tastes and reach a wider audience, hence creating a “musically diverse” club that we enjoy today. Here, the club encourages students to listen, write, and analyze different genres of music as a collective group or individually.
Avalaine Derby and Nina Zeltser start the first activity of their class! In the chapel, a music competition takes place, where two teams must be quick to recognize the different types of songs being played.
“This is a mode of self-expression,” said Nina, “Music can capture emotions in a different way than perhaps words can’t. It’s important that people learn that they have this option.”
Of course, Hackley does not lack musical options; it offers a variety of music-based minors, such as Theater, Orchestra, Concert Band, Chamber, and Jazz Band.
So what exactly makes the Music Club different?
While Hackley’s music programs provide a strong musical education, it requires the unfaltering dedication of students. Each class lasts an hour, and students must also practice independently to increase their proficiency. Some students who pursue different interests may not have sufficient time for these efforts.
The Music Club is the perfect solution. Since the club is led by students, the class can adapt easily per the students’ requests. Avaline Derby and Nina Zeltser make sure to carry out these requests quickly and efficiently, with enough material to analyze throughout the class. Instead of an hour, each class lasts 30 min during a comfortable lunch period. Despite meeting less frequently, the Music Club still delves deep into the musical world and satisfies the interests of its participants.
Music Club members, from a range of upperclass students, take part in this music-recognition competition!
The Music Club is an extended hand towards those who wish to peek into the world of music. In Hackley, it is a pathway towards musical interest, a positive influence that could compel students to engage more in musical programs and wish to pursue music further themselves.
“We want to involve more of the community,” says Avaline, “We want to further experiment with different types of music, and in the end, expand this universal language.”
