North Charlotte Today

Monroe educators have concluded that if you want to introduce students to new things, it’s better to do so while they are in elementary school.

That’s why Walter Bickett Elementary is letting students choose a course that teaches the basics of a musical instrument as an elective in 5th grade, their last year at the school.

“It’s important for a student to try as many different things as they can,” Bickett's music instructor Joseph Girgenti told WBTV. “What happens is a lot of students -- once they get to middle school -- are afraid to try new things. But fifth-graders are more willing to try something new.” 

Girgenti said he worked with the Union County Public Schools board and Bickett’s principal to develop the program. It struck a chord with students, as 31 of about 80 eligible fifth-graders have signed up for the class.

"When I was little, my parents told me I was always borrowing their phone to listen to music,” Keyli Ortiz, who wanted to learn the clarinet, told WBTV.  “And even now, I listen to it when I sleep. So now I play the clarinet. Sometimes music is so helpful for you, so you can kind of relax and enjoy.”

The class is intended to be an alternative to joining the band, Girgenti said, and it works because it requires less of a time commitment.

“If they were interested in joining band, they’re giving up two days of their recess time to be with me to do this all year,” Girgenti said. “At the beginning of the year, I let all of the fifth graders try flute, clarinet, trumpet and trombone.”

There’s an end-of-year payoff, too, when the students will perform. This year, the selection is “Redhawk Rising,” a song composed by Girgenti’s twin brother, who is also a musician. Clearly "Mr. G," as the students call him, is from a musical family.

“These students don’t always have every opportunity,” Girgenti told WBTV.  "But I was so grateful to be able to give them this opportunity. I wish, when I was in school, I started band at their age.”