Published February 5, 2025

The sound of strumming filled the halls of Wheeling High School as 120 students from across the District came together for the inaugural Arts Unlimited Guitar Day, a hands-on musical experience that hit all the right notes. Through workshops in blues, fingerpicking and mariachi, students explored new styles and found fresh inspiration to fuel their musical journeys.

Each session, led by professionals, offered a unique experience. The blues and fingerpicking workshops focused on developing technique and expression, while the mariachi session stood out as a new experience for many students. 

“My hope for the day is that the kids get something positive out of it, as in a new inspiration or they learned a new technique, or they can just go home to mom and dad and explain the excitement of the day, what they learned,” said Wheeling High School orchestra director Marlyn Barrera-Carrera.

The event also reinforced the accessibility of guitar as an entry point into music education. Unlike traditional band and orchestra programs, which often require students to start at an earlier age, Guitar Day showcased how students can still find meaningful musical opportunities.

With its blend of hands-on learning, cultural appreciation and inspiration, Guitar Day proved to be a resounding success—one that may strike an even bigger chord in years to come.