By CORY ANN MICHEL
Rutherford County Schools
Along with the school choir, Christiana Elementary’s Instrumental Club — a rarity for an elementary school — will host a free concert next week for students, parents and the community.
The club boasts around 60 third through fifth grade students. It was created by the school’s principal, Chris Lafferty, and music teacher, Tara Polson, both of whom have extensive music backgrounds.
The club features a wide range of instruments including bass guitar, electric drums, keyboard and various “Orff.” Orff instruments are percussion-based instruments designed specifically for children, placing the focus on melody, rhythm and movement.
The club meets on Thursday mornings before school, and it is led by Principal Lafferty and Polson, who both believe it’s important for students to learn music and instruments. Their passion and persistence are what has propelled the club forward.
Before Lafferty and Polson officially started the club, the school was never able to have an instrumental group other than choir.
“I always wanted an instrumental group because it deepens their knowledge,” Polson said. “I can teach eighth notes and quarter notes all day long, but when they come in here and apply it to the music they want to listen to, then they're like, ‘oh, that's what that is.’ It's really nice to see the ‘a-ha moments’ with them. They're like, ‘wow, we can do it, too.’”
Within the club, students learn songs they enjoy, such as music from Zootopia 2 and Mario Cart, as well as music they are less familiar with.
“You get to express yourself and learn new songs that you've never heard of, or that you have heard of, and you just get to have fun with your friends, and it's a lot of fun,” said fifth grade bass xylophone player, Peyton Jones.
While the club is centered on building students’ knowledge of music, it has become a space of self-expression, creativity and community.
“The best part is being with friends and making memories while they last, because they don't really stay with you for long. And it's nice to perform with them. It’s basically, like a small group that gives you a break before school starts, so you can actually do stuff and focus in class,” said fifth grade bass player, Bryxton Moltz.
The school will be hosting the Choir and Instrumental Spring Concert on May 19 from 6-7 p.m., where club students will be performing a medley of famous rock song introductions such as, “Don't Stop Believing” and “Crazy Train.”
“My favorite thing about the club is getting to come and practice and do our performances for everyone in the gym,” said fifth grade bass xylophone player, Lila Davidson.