Professors of rock
Posted: May 21, 2019
Faculty participate in air guitar fundraiser
The MEDleys, a student a cappella group, held an air guitar contest Thursday, Nov. 29, on the Kirksville, Missouri, campus to raise money for Kirksville High School’s guitar music education program. Megan Howell, OMS II, is a member of the MEDleys and sings in the Community Chorus, directed by Kirksville High School music teacher Rebecca Murphy. When Howell learned Murphy was raising money to start a guitar class at the high school, she wanted to help. She and other members of the MEDleys came up with the idea for an air guitar fundraiser.
Faculty members were sponsored by their respective departments and showed off their air guitar skills in righteous fashion. Many dressed in elaborate costumes while rocking out with choreographed routines. Brian Degenhardt, DO, (pictured) won the audience’s performance choice award, and Keith Elmslie, PhD, won most funds raised from his department. Overall, the contest raised $1,501, enough to purchase all the guitars needed.
“This is an opportunity for them to learn a skill that they may not financially be able to access outside of school,” Murphy says.