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Student Ty Crittenden learns how to play a beat on the drums. (Reporter photo/Briana Harris)

Hunter Malone plays the Agogo double bell. (Reporter photo/Briana Harris)

RockSchool instructor DeVonte Hutchins teaches student Cole Manley how to play four counts of a beat on a wooden percussion box called a cajon. (Reporter photo/Briana Harris)

Student Hunter Malone learns to play four counts of a beat on the bongo drums. (Reporter photo/Briana Harris)

Student Camilla Romero takes a stab at playing a wooden percussion box called a cajon. (Reporter photo/Briana Harris)

PELHAM – It didn’t take long for students in a beginner’s music class to catch on to how to stay on beat and how to use various instruments introduced to them during Stickandstrum Academy’s RockSchool courses on Monday, Jan. 23.

Stickandstrum is offering a six-week RockSchool courses designed to teach students the basics about multiple instruments. During the courses students will play instruments like the guitar, drums, piano, mandolin, banjo and the ukulele.

The course began on Jan. 23 and costs $100, but Stickandstrum co-owner Shauna Nicholas said parents can register their children at any time and the cost of course will be prorated.

There are four classes to choose from: Introduction to Instruments 1, Introduction to Instruments 2, Unplugged, and Turn it Up. The Unplugged and Turn it Up classes focus on specific instruments. Unplugged spends two weeks each on the Acoustic Guitar, Piano, and Ukulele. Turn it Up spends two weeks each on the Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar, and Drums

Each music class can accommodate up to 10 students. The next RockSchool course will begin in March.

“The idea is for people who have an interest in music to see what they like and what instruments interest them the most,” Nicholas said. “We find that a lot of kids just aren’t sure what they like and this provides a fun environment with a short commitment.”

Stickandstrum also offers private lessons and at the end of every semester, students produce a concert at Griffin Farms in Helena to show their parents and the community what they’ve been working on.

“They perform songs, and there are food trucks and animals there for them to play with,” Nicholas said. “A relaxing environment just makes the entire experience a lot more fun.”

The next concert will be Sunday, April 23 from 2-8 p.m. at Griffin Farms.

For more information, go to Stickandstrum.com or call 690-1521.

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