When I was just starting out this school year there was a mistake in my schedule, and I wasn’t able to get the fifth-period class I wanted. So when I saw Mr. KC Perlberg in commens and asked him what class he taught in that period I signed up.
This was one of the best decisions I have made so far at MC. Signing up to learn to play saxophone this year has been really beneficial for me, and more students should pick instrument electives.
It is never too late to decide to take one of those classes, even if one is going into their junior or senior year. They provide a fully hands-on class and are some of the most fun a student will have day to day.
Most people either pick the elective that looks the easiest or the one that gives the most credits. However, when going into senior year, an extra elective spot opens up and many don’t really know what to use it for. This is why so many seniors end up picking music classes as their electives.
“Picking up an instrument for the first time gave me something exciting to come to school to and gave me a new hobby,” said senior Jimmy Lyons. “It just makes me enjoy school just a little bit more than I used to.”
A lot of them end up really enjoying these classes, though.
“I think picking up an instrument is a really valuable experience for a guy in this age range,” said Mr. KC Perlberg. “Particularly because It’s humbling to be brand new at something which is cool, but it also teaches you how to learn all over again.”
For most upperclassmen at MC they are building upon previously-learned skills in their classes. Picking up an instrument has been helpful to me particularly because it has made my studying and practice habits get better. I have to learn how to practice the basics and build myself up again. It is something I haven’t done in years.
Even though a large part of going to MC is the male-centered learning environment, sometimes you really do just need to sit down and hit the books. Doing this all day in school can be really boring, and having a period that is fully hands-on is really awesome.
“I have more things to think about, but like something else besides sitting at a desk and writing,” said senior Timmy McInerney. “Like writing down something or like being on my computer. It gives me more energy because I’m doing something else and learning something new.”
It’s not like the classes are easy, but the hands-on and physical aspect makes it feel like a refresher when all you have done is sit at a desk and listen to lectures.
“Music is tactile,” said Mr. Perlberg. “You are touching stuff, moving, creating something. Not to knock other subjects sometimes you do have to just sit down and take the notes. That is part of learning. You do have to do that, but being able to stretch or make a sound or be a little energetic or something like that is a great thing to do to break up the day.”
I personally have a very rough schedule where on some days I have up to three of the hardest AP classes available at MC in a row and then Mr. Baffoe scolds me for my late newspaper work in 21st-Century Media.
“It makes me think a little bit differently than most other subjects,” said senior Nick Lewanski. “I actually have to apply myself to it. I can’t just google it. It’s actually like hands-on learning.”
Most importantly, though, it’s a fun class. Through the whole process of building a good resume and taking the hardest electives and classes possible, many kids stop picking what they are interested in or could be a cool fun class.
