High school bands have been a perennial part of the teen experience for decades. When Shaler Area High School teacher Jim McDermott noticed that student bands were evaporating, he decided to do something to foster the creativity and camaraderie that playing music together provides.

McDermott joined forces with fellow SAHS teacher Steve Karscig to provide introductory guitar lessons to a group of students, beginning with the basics of the names of strings and chords. Mr. McDermott shares, “I have always played music and performed in bands since I was in high school and was sad when the number of student rock bands dropped down to zero after a Shaler Area tradition of having many bands over the generations. My goal is to slowly turn this into “Rock Band Club,” since we already have 2 bass players attending as well.” McDermott hopes this will lead to fun performances, “Spring Talent Show? Perhaps!” he says.