LOUISA COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Students at Louisa County High School are getting hands-on experience in music production through a new program designed to take their skills beyond the classroom. Inside the school’s music theory class, students are learning how to write, record and release their ow n music through a program called Build-A-Band Creative Music Production. The initiative was introduced after band director Micah Lee was awarded a grant to expand the school’s music curriculum. “When I saw the opportunity for the grant, I was like, here’s a way for me to streamline what I’m already doing, make it easier and more digestible for the students, and then improve the overall quality of the product,” Mr. Lee said. Through the program, students use industry-standard software and tools to create original music. “I like making music and being able to have your own YouTube channel and share your thoughts and your music taste with the world,” student Nathaniel Sludel said. Lee said the course, implemented for the first time this spring, is already showing results. “The majority of my students now have seven, eight, nine, ten songs,” Lee said. “This same time last year, students had one or two.” For junior Macaih Grooms, the program is helping shape his future. “When I leave here next year, I know exactly what career path I want to choose,” Grooms said. He said the hands-on experience has made him more confident in his goal of becoming a music producer. Grooms also described the class as a creative outlet. “When I get angry at something, I just turn on my phone or my Chromebook just to make music,” he said. “I love how I get the liberty to create my music how I want it to sound.” He has already released several songs on YouTube and is now learning how to promote his work with the marketing skills taught through the course. Even for students who may not pursue music professionally, Lee said the program teaches skills that extend beyond the classroom. “Resilience, overcoming challenges and being better communicators for what their ideas are and what they want to see... those are the main skills that I want to translate out,” Lee said. ...read more read less