SFU Bopalooza showcases beginner guitarists' talents
May 1—LORETTO — More than a dozen St. Francis University students took the stage Tuesday, most with little to no prior guitar experience, to show off what they learned in a single semester from adjunct instructor Bo Moore.
"I thought we all played well, and it was good to see all our work throughout all semester paid off," sophomore Madison Waldspurger said.
The exercise physiology major had never played guitar before and said the class seemed interesting, which is why she signed up.
She said the course was sometimes challenging, but regular practicing helped prepare her for the recital, Bopalooza, at the new Resinski Black Box theater inside the new Connors Family Fine Arts Center.
For freshman Cole Shaffer, taking the course was a way to expand his guitar knowledge.
He said he wanted to learn more about reading music, time signatures and related information — and he'd heard great things about Moore, so he registered and was pleased he did so.
The students played six songs by plucking and strumming their way through the melodies to enthusiastic applause from the sizable audience.
They played hits such as John Denver's "Take Me Home Country Roads" and Green Day's "Good Riddance" as well as medleys of "Stand By Me" by Ben E. King and "Every Breath You Take" by The Police, classic church hymns and more.
Senior Alana Michener was there to cheer on a few friends and was impressed by what she heard.
"It made me so proud," she said.
Moore said he started teaching the class — Music 113 — around eight years ago when Director of Music and Wellness Jim Donovan suggested he attempt teaching guitar to those who'd never played before.
The longtime guitarist was flattered by the idea, but was unsure of how successful it could be.
"I thought 'Man, this is going to be an uphill battle,' " Moore said, "but, I thought this was a challenge and something different, and if I could make this work, this is something I could offer every semester."
And he has.
Each semester, Moore teaches a group of students to play guitar from scratch — chords, melody, harmony, how to read music and keep rhythm — and at the end of the semester, they put on a show.
"It's so cool to watch guys and the girls I have that have no musical experience at all (perform)," Moore said. "It's been a big hit on campus."
The university has a supply of guitars for students to use, but many bring their own. Moore said the class is so popular he has nearly perfect attendance every semester.
This group has been one of the best he's had, Moore told the audience Tuesday.
Their practice and dedication was evident during the performance.
Each song had the troupe concentrating intently, tapping their feet in rhythm and smirking to themselves when it all came together.
Three of the students — Nicole Himes, Jacob Graessle and Grace Raquel — also played solos of songs they'd prepared for the finale of the course.
In addition to the novice players, Moore played a few blues tunes with another one of his students, Shawn Barnhart, and Garrett Hutton performed a solo titled "Amalgamation."
Joshua Byers is a reporter for The Tribune- Democrat. Follow him on Twitter @Journo_Josh.
