Adam Odenwelder
Belmont Ridge Middle School
Leesburg, Virginia
There is no status quo for the guitar program at Belmont Ridge Middle School in Leesburg, Virginia, led by Adam Odenwelder. “I’m constantly changing things in order to meet the needs of my students in new and exciting ways,” he says proudly. “Every year that I’ve taught guitar looks wildly different from the previous year, and I hope that I never lose the willingness to mix things up!”
A major part of Odenwelder’s program is student-centered. He doesn’t rely on staid teaching materials that have been around for a long time. His students request most of the songs the guitar ensembles perform, and Odenwelder arranges them. “Because I make myself available as the arranger, my students frequently request songs that may be too difficult for the entire 30+ member ensemble, but a group of three or four students can take the initiative to learn it. I then allow these small chamber groups to be highlighted during our concerts,” he says.
Over the years, students have asked Odenwelder to arrange music from popular TV shows and video games for guitar ensembles, as well as for chamber groups that consist of multiple different instruments. “Last year, one of my students asked me to arrange a song by a popular artist for guitar, violin, flute and vocals,” he recalls. “They performed at a concert and legitimately sounded like a professional cover band! I was so proud that they had the opportunity to showcase their skills.”
Odenwelder’s students have the opportunity to play a variety of electric instruments — from electric guitars and basses to different modelling amps and footswitches that allow them to quickly change from one effect to another. “Using electric instruments in guitar class definitely engages students because they live in a technological world,” he says.
He also encourages students to play written guitar solos in a variety of styles and programs one piece per concert that allows any student the opportunity to improvise a solo on electric guitar.
During COVID, Odenwelder implemented a “flipped” classroom model out of necessity where students watched instructional videos on their own so class time could focus on hands-on practice and personalized guidance. He continues to use this model because it helps build student confidence and achievement.
“When I hand students new music, I make sure to record videos to help guide them through the songs,” he explains. “My students can take directions from videos because they are used to the medium, and because it allows them to take in information at their own pace. They can make the most of their individual practice time, which makes the large ensemble rehearsal much more fruitful.”