Students discover their path through music

Strums of music catch the attention of students walking by during dismissal at Eisenhower Middle School.

The sounds come from Ruben Galvan, one of the school’s teachers, who loves to play guitar.

“This is where people can come together and express their love for music without judgement,” 15-year-old Justin Geiger said.

Geiger, an eighth-grader had the idea to start a school guitar club but needed to find a sponsor.

He turned to teacher Eric Gerber.

“He said he liked the idea and would be willing to sponsor it, then one thing led to another and well here we are now. We have two teachers in here and a whole group of kids,” Geiger said.

Mr. Gerber is an Advancement via Individual Determination, or AVID, elective teacher and guitar club sponsor.

“I had never done a club before like this. I think back to when I was a kid in school and there were sports; there was band, orchestra, and choir. For kids who, maybe that’s not their thing, there’s not always a lot for them at school beyond just school. For me I really thought, if you can find one thing that’s really fun that you can really just look forward to about school, you are going to be more likely to go to school and work hard,” Gerber said.

He said the club started small but soon grew much bigger. That’s when fellow teacher Mr. Galvan stepped in to be the co-sponsor.

Gerber says playing music can be an outlet for many students.

“The good stuff and bad stuff; love and heartbreak and all those things. Middle school kids, they are experiencing a lot of that stuff for the first time. Music is so powerful,” he said.

Geiger said music has done that for him.

“It’s helped me through a lot of stuff like parent divorce and friendships,” he said.

The teachers at Eisenhower said it’s like big family at the school.

“That was one of the things that really drew me to Eisenhower when I first got here. This is more than just a school, it’s a place where people really watch out for each other and care for each other,” Gerber said.

“It feels good having friends and people I don’t know come together with an interest that I never thought that many people like,” Geiger added.
Mr. Gerber and Mr. Galvan often play their guitar outside and in the hallways to let people know that anyone is welcomed in the club.

“We have all different levels of players in here. I’ve got kids who have never played guitar before and then have a few who are absolutely phenomenal. I’ve got one guy in particular; he can play circles around me and I’ve been playing for 35 years! Anyone is welcomed; there is always going to be a place for you,” Gerber said.

The club meets every Tuesday in the ALC from 3:40-4:45 p.m. All experience levels are welcomed. You must bring your own instrument.

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