Guitar Club is one of the newest additions to Marist, offering students a creative space to develop their skills and connect with others who share the same passion. Senior Billy Petto started the program at the start of the school year with the goal of bringing students together through music.
“I’ve loved playing guitar my entire life and I wanted to create a space where other Marist students could learn to play guitar,” says Petto.
Petto has been playing guitar for 10 years himself, and gave Principal Dunneback the idea for the club.
“I just wanted to make an inclusive place where musicians could thrive,” says Petto.
The club made its first appearance at the annual club fair where it immediately caught the attention of many Marist students. Senior Sean Prendergast was one of the first to join.
“I was helping out at another table, and that was the first time I saw that there was a guitar club,” says Prendergast.
Prendergast had prior experience playing snare drum in St. Augustine’s band for three years and recently expanded his instrumental expertise.
“I had picked up playing guitar over the last summer, and I wanted a place to help me hone my craft,” says Prendergast.
Since joining, Prendergast has become a regular member and considers the meetings a highlight of his week. He even now enjoys playing guitar more than snare.
“It’s probably my favorite club that I go to. It’s great to just go once a week and play guitar for an hour,” said Prendergast.
Each meeting gives students the chance to practice, share techniques, and play songs together. Whether members are just learning basic chords or can play complete songs, the club creates a low pressure environment where everyone can improve.
“The club’s goals are just to teach people about music and spread the love of playing instruments, because there’s something magical about just knowing how to play guitar,” says Petto.
“It’s a fun skill to have. When somebody pulls out a guitar and starts playing, people enjoy that,” said Petto.
“My favorite part is when they put a song up on the projector and everyone in the club plays together,” says Prendergast.
Members are also able to learn how to play their favorite and some of the most popular songs, providing a unique opportunity to learn a new skill.
“We were able to play a song by Key vs Locket, and that would probably be my favorite song we’ve played so far,” says Prendergast.
“I’ve been able to learn a lot of songs that I love to play. My favorite would probably be Friend of the Devil by Grateful Dead. It’s great,” says Petto.
“At the beginning of the year I went into Guitar Club knowing absolutely nothing but now I can flawlessly play Iron Man by Black Sabbath,” says club member Devin Feliciano.
Beyond developing musical expertise, members say the sense of togetherness is what truly makes the club special.
“I like the community, it’s really fun to be there. Everybody has a good time and everyone’s really open to learning,” says Petto.
