Stiefel Theatre bringing love of music to younger generation with classes

A new way of learning music has come to Salina's Stiefel Theatre. Instructors are teaching students, young and old, about the fun that comes from playing an instrument.

The Mike Finnigan School of Music is wrapping up its first round of classes next week and is already looking to the next round that will start during the week of Feb. 28.

The school is named after the late rock and blues musician, Mike Finnigan, who played with iconic musicians such as Jimi Hendrix, Bonnie Raitt and Janis Joplin. According to Matt Gerry, the guitar instructor for the school, Finnigan went to the University of Kansas and had strong ties to the Salina area, including a love of playing at the Stiefel.

After his death in August 2021, Finnigan's family made a donation for the school at the Stiefel, and it is named to "honor his legacy as a musician and spread his love for music education."

Learning classic rock hits as a group

Those attending the eight-week classes learn in a large group setting, with instructors knowledgeable about the music and the instruments played. The instruments include the guitar, piano and ukulele.

Some of the classes, such as guitar, use popular and noteworthy hits from well-known artists like The Beatles, America, Otis Rush and even a musician that Finnigan played with, Jimi Hendrix.

The choice of songs used isn't just because of the notoriety of the piece or even the bands that made them famous, but how the class can learn from them as well.

"Not only do the songs rock, but there's skills associated with each of them," said Gerry, who also teaches guitar at Salina South Middle School.

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As an example, Hendrix's "Hey Joe" teaches students something for all six strings of the guitar as well as strumming techniques.

Having the lessons in a group setting also allows students to learn and work together, obtaining skills in addition to playing the acoustic guitar or ukulele.

Gerry's intermediate guitar class, which has mostly middle school students, worked on four songs in its Tuesday night lesson, with someone from the larger group getting the chance to sing along, play bass guitar or even play the solo on electric guitar for each song.

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A chance for Mike Finnigan School of Music students to show what they've learned

After the eight-week course finishes, students have the opportunity to shine on one of Salina's biggest stages.

A recital is scheduled for all the classes on the Thursday following the final class on the Stiefel Stage.

Gerry said this gives students a chance to show family and friends what they've learned. It also gives them the opportunity to be able to say they played on a stage in a building that opened in 1933, is on the National Register of Historic Places and has seen the likes of other performers like B.B. King, Peter Frampton, Lindsey Buckingham and Willie Nelson.

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Enroll in the next round of classes soon

While the first eight-week courses are wrapping up now, Gerry said he's excited for the next classes to begin in March. Registration for the nine different classes are now open at www.stiefeltheatre.org/school-of-music and close March 16.

Instructors for the courses are Matt Gerry, teaching three guitar classes, Stephanie Gerry, teaching three piano classes and Thad Beach, teaching two ukulele lessons and a lesson on homemade instruments called the Jug Band Jam.

The 50-minute classes, which happen late afternoons on Mondays and Tuesdays, are offered in eight-week sessions plus a short informal concert/recital on the Stiefel stage at the conclusion of each session. Tuition is $200 for each class and is due upon enrollment.

This article originally appeared on Salina Journal: Stiefel Theatre in Salina is finishing first round of music school