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Moravia High School is Ready to Rock This Year With Fun New Class
Moravia High School is ready to rock this year thanks to a new program aimed at driving student discussion and showcasing the power of music.
The school introduced, “The History of Rock ‘N’ Roll” this year, a new class taught by History Teacher Matthew Henry. This innovative course is part of the district’s commitment to providing engaging, fun, and meaningful academic experiences for all students.
Henry said the idea for the new class started when he noticed how engaged his US History students would become when the class would start discussing the cultural impact music had in the 1950’s and 1960’s.
“At that time, we saw that the values of the country started to change when the music started to change. And we saw young people start to get involved,” Henry said. “So, what if there was a course just dedicated to exploring that rise in culture?”
The History of Rock ‘N’ Roll covers music from the roots of blues into the classic Rock ‘N’ Roll that remains popular to this day. It also discusses the impact classic rock has had on other popular genres of music, including country, hip-hip, pop and more. Artists covered throughout the course include icons like Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, and more.
Henry said a large portion of the coursework will be based on student-led discussions. As Henry put it, it’s about getting back to listening to the music and discussing how this genre influenced American culture and brought people together during pivotal moments in history.
“I’m not going to quiz them on who the lead drummer of Led Zeppelin was,” he said. “It’s more about getting back to the core of gathering around, throwing on a record and really listening and discussing the music.”
A standout feature of the class will be "Your Music Friday," where students will have the opportunity to share a song that holds personal significance to them. This initiative encourages students to express themselves, engage with their peers, and explore the stories behind the music that resonates with them.
“The course is really about getting the students to think about things like, ‘How would you feel about growing in the ‘60s?” How would you feel if your parents were playing Hank Williams, but you only want to listen to Elvis?’” Henry said.