SHS's Musical Librarian
Written by Kelsey Thorp, Former Student on Thursday, January 8, 2015
Volkert Volkersz is more than the librarian at SHS. He also leads Jam Club, a club for aspiring musicians to come, share their music and jam with others.
“Jam Club is a place for young people who are interested in music to find a safe place to swap music, share music, and to jam,” said Volkersz.
Jam Club all started when Volkersz heard a former student, Vincent Allis, playing guitar.
“We just started jamming after school and then his friends started coming. And that was the beginning,” said Volkersz.
“It’s not guitar lessons, but it helps to know something,” says Volkersz. The club doesn’t require you to be an instrumental genius or have years of experience. The club members learn as they go and develop new skills to take with them. “As long as there is a drive to learn.”
In December, to get into Christmas spirit, they go caroling on First Street every year. Also the club goes to Haggen’s and participates in the Sing from the Heart charity fundraiser. Haggen's donates $50 for every hour the participants sing to the Food Bank.
Volkersz grew up with a variety of music in his household. His parents listened to classical music, his sister listened to Glenn Miller, and his other sister listened to pop music. He and his siblings all took piano lessons, he also played flute, violin, and viola. Volkersz was the concert master-the number one violinist-in four schools. “I’ve always been involved with music.”
“If you were to define what I am right now, I’m a singer/song writer.” He is most comfortable with just him and his guitar.
What a lot of people don’t know about their librarian, is that his college degree is in music. He taught music for 11 years before becoming a librarian. “That’s another reason I like to do Jam Club.”
