March is Music in our Schools Month, and normally during this month, Salisbury’s music teachers would be posting different pictures and clips of students, all over the district, playing music. Some of this content springs from music learned in the classroom, others merely students sharing their talent and passion with the community.

In the high school specifically, willing students are able to perform any music they want for other teachers, staff and students during Falcon Period. Many students come out with original music, song covers and instrumental pieces. This time gives students a safe space to display their talent and gain support and feedback from those around them.

Those who would rather listen in could get passes to watch the performances of that day.

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 restrictions, this tradition is no longer possible in order to minimize student traffic and control any possible spread of the virus.

Just because the celebration of Music in our Schools Month is different this year, does not mean students have stopped making and practicing music outside of a graded environment.

In honor of this continuous passion, our “Artist of the Week” is sophomore, Stuart Carl. Stuart is an all around great musician who plays bass in the high school’s concert and jazz bands. He spends the majority of his free time doing anything music related; his passion is evident to anyone who is around him. Stuart aspires to take music from the world around, whether that be sounds from household objects to the sound of Dizzy Gillespie’s trumpet to create and produce music of his own. The Q&A with Stuart shows his fervency for music and displays his love for music better than my words could ever articulate.

Q: Why do you use music?

A: “I use music because it’s something that interests me so much. I’ve seen it connect so many people and sound so great.”

Q: What does music mean to you?

A: “Music to me is such a loose term. It goes from tapping your fingers on your desk to entire buildings of trained musicians all belting out beautiful songs. I’ve even seen music created by random objects around the house like glasses and light switches. It’s such an insane and beautiful concept.”

Q: What sparks your inspiration?

A: “For me, I get a lot of inspiration from listening to other people’s music. Even simple songs are so cool and epic that I think, ‘I really want to make something like that,’ even if it’s not possible.”

Q: Who are some of your music icons?

A: “I absolutely love those who made jazz. They came up with so many new concepts that I would never in my life think of. That includes people like John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie, and Miles Davis. I also really look up to all the musicians that have elements from jazz. They take the concepts created from it and push it even further. This includes almost everyone from Jacob Collier to Kurt Cobain. I honestly look up to every musician I know. My main goal for my music is to make songs like the ones that inspire me.”

That’s all for this week; stay tuned for more student news.