This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Guitar program, and as the end of this year approaches, we can expect a lot to come from our award winning program.

The most recent Guitar Coffeehouse fundraiser was very successful, with at least one hundred people passing through. Coffee, sandwiches, and jam sessions for all.

Coffeehouse is one of the many ways the Guitar program supports it’s artists; not only does this event raise much needed money for the program, but it also gives students a chance to express themselves outside of class and play songs everyone will enjoy and be familiar with. Some students even played songs they composed themselves. Junior Mikiyas Negussie performed his original piece dubbed “Jazz Odyssey.”

All money collected that night went directly to the Guitar program. WS only pays for the guitar room and Mr. Owens’s salary, so the task of raising money falls on Guitar students and their parents.

They try to get in as much funding as they can to pay for equipment, music, and trips, none of which are cheap. Upkeep and maintenance of each individual instrument is a job in itself. Needless to say, participation in the fundraisers is very important, as well as the Guitar boosters.

Volunteers and fundraising are the backbone of the program, but more than that, the dedication of Keith Owens and 20 years worth of students.

For many students, music is what keeps them sane in school. Keeping the arts and music alive in such a stressful environment, such as the closing semester to another busy school year, helps to balance plenty of our peer’s lives. Though all of our musical programs are award-winning and struggle with the same funding issues as guitar, we find each program individually important and character-building.

Guitar continues to fundraise through their frequent McGuitar nights. The winning combination of French fries and music is something we should all enjoy at least once.

Coffeehouses are anticipated to continue in March as well as many big upcoming performances for WS Guitar including Austin Grill performance, Spartan Jam, Spartan Jam Alumni Fest, and of course the infamous Spring Trip. This year’s spring trip brings our students to Festival Disney in sunny Orlando, Florida.

We should expect a lot of available entertainment to come from the Guitar program, check out they’re website for specific dates.