Hamilton Middle School Music Teacher Celeste Pogachar helps eighth-grader Kris Minch tune his guitar. PERRY BACKUS - Ravalli Republic

“Have you ever heard Ozzy Osbourne?” eighth-grader Kris Minch asked. “Well, it sounds like this.”

So begins the imitation of classic guitar melodies subject to the mercy and joy of the fingertips in Celeste Pogachar’s middle school guitar classes.

Teaching music in the Bitterroot Valley for more than 22 years, Pogachar knows every rhythm and note in teaching young children the art of learning music. This year, Pogachar is learning right along with her students as the guitar class is a recent addition to the middle school electives.

After talking with Hamilton Middle School Principal Barb Solomon in 2006, Pogachar and Solomon agreed to offer another musical opportunity to students.

“In the sixth grade, if you don’t choose either choir or band, there really isn’t another opportunity to learn music,” Pogachar said. “We wanted to find a way to reach those students who didn’t choose band or choir in hopes of showing them another method of music appreciation.”

After scrounging around the district, Pogachar and Solomon came up with 16 guitars of all sizes, shapes and conditions.

After a year of giving the guitar elective a try, it was clear the class was a hit.“Part of what makes the guitar such a wonderful and approachable instrument, is the fact that it’s incredibly user friendly. It’s exceedingly easy to learn and the students have picked up on it very quickly.”

Of course, there have been some broken strings along the way that have been rescued and restored by local guitar marker Ken Rumbaugh.

“He’s been a pure godsend,” Pogachar said.

Pogachar said she’s focusing on teaching the students the basics from musical notes and scales to music theory and basic chords.

“My hope is what they learn in here, they will be able to build on if they choose to continue playing the guitar and become self-sufficient musicians and supporters of the arts,” she said.

Thanks to a recent grant from the Greater Ravalli Foundation, Pogachar was able to purchase 12 new guitars for the class so each student is able to take a guitar home to practice.

Eighth-grader Charlie West who plays the musical scale the fastest in the class, said he never wants to put the guitar down.

“I think in the back of everyone’s mind, everybody wants to be famous playing an instrument,” he said. “For me, it’s the guitar. It’s just really cool to sit down and have something you’re good at.”

Fellow classmate Tasha Bumgarner said she plays the guitar with her grandpa after school.

“I like taking it home and playing with my grandpa as much as I can,” Bumgarner said. “I think I’m gonna keep playing when I’m in high school. I like making up songs and seeing what I can do.”

The guitar enthusiasm spread beyond the classroom walls when a handful of guitar students presented for the Hamilton School Board Monday night.

Hamilton Middle School Assistant Principal Toby Stack helped write a school song with the class.

“The class is a really great opportunity for the kids,” Stack said. “I think it’s good to give them the musical hook now in hopes that they take the bait later in their life. Celeste is doing a wonderful job with the class. It’s great for the kids to have their place, their time and their music.”

Although the class is not performance based, Pogachar said she may consider a small concert next year, but currently “I’m enjoying learning along with the kids, seeing them embrace learning an instrument.”

Ira Gershwin once said, “Music is what feelings sound like.”

If that’s the case, then the Hamilton Middle School guitar class is clearly happy.

Reporter Jenny Harris can be reached at 363-3300 or at jharris@ravallirepubilc.com

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Frank Felice wrote on May 15, 2008 1:21 AM:

" Excellent!

Let's keep the guitar playing tradition alive! Cary Zimmermann & Steve Burnham would be proud!


"

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