Music withholds a captivating power within the different forms of beats, tones, and harmony. But how does the four-count beat of a classic Fleetwood Mac song or the composition of Clairo’s new album, “Charm,” draw in the average high school student?

Here at Laguna Beach High School, Mr. Hendrickson, an English 10 and 12 teacher, invites all his students into his classroom with lively music flooding the hallways. 

From the emotional experience to the memory and nostalgic effect a song carries, high schoolers relate to the words coming from their headphones and dancing into their ears. But when students come to school, their headphones have to hide behind their English notebooks in their stuffed backpacks. The escape and the pressures of school are suddenly gone for those seven long school hours. Walking into your English class, although it contains color, feels black and white because of the lack of personality, comfort, and welcoming aspects. What if a teacher uses music to fill those voids? =

Teachers can use music to relate with the students and encourage them to step into their classroom. Even if you don’t have Mr. Hendrickson, you know him as the teacher everyone wants, the teacher who makes walking by their classroom fun, and even more, the teacher whose “classroom you walk into and feel an instant rush of joy,” says Laguna Beach High School sophomore Adelaide Valeri. Valeri is an example of a student-athlete who feels the pressures and stresses of school, although, throughout her busy day, she looks forward to Mr. Hendrickson’s class, as she states, “[she notices] a lot of the other classrooms don’t feel as welcoming and inviting.” Valeri highlights the “difference” of Mr. Hendrickson’s classroom compared to her other classes. She mentions, “The second my friends and I step into Mr. Hendrickson’s classroom, I instantly notice a boost in people’s moods; everyone becomes more cheerful.” Not only does Valeri feel a difference, but she also sees a difference in the overall environment of the classroom. 

Valeri looks forward to Mr. Henrickson’s class at the end of each day and looks forward to “gaining awareness on different musicians, songs, and genres.” This type of learning style engages students and makes them feel connected to the class and excited to learn more. Valeri is just one student who feels the difference between her classes just by the power of music, but who knows how many others can relate? 

 What caused you to play music in your classroom?

 “I like to have a welcoming atmosphere when kids walk in; I want them to walk in and feel like they’re walking into a fun learning environment,” Mr. Hendrickson states.

As he focuses on wanting students to be eager to learn rather than dreading another class period, Mr. Hendrickson draws in all the students’ attention. His main goal is to create a welcoming classroom and a fun learning environment because “kids are going to be more willing to participate and engage.” He also says he likes to choose songs for specific days of the week and songs he knows his students will enjoy. Through all the positive feedback he’s heard about the music he plays, Mr. Hendrickson said he’s “gotten emails from kids that will say they heard Manic Monday and thought about [his] English class; this feedback from the kids makes [him] feel pleased.” For ten years straight, The Bangles’ classic Manic Monday has been a Monday staple, a fond recollection his class will always have. 

The power of music has a strong influence on everyone. Although there are different types of music, everyone can relate to specific lyrics being played. High school students have shown the positivity music brings to their lives, and how just one teacher starting his class period with music can turn a typical school day into a day we look forward to. As Elton John said, “[music] has the ability to take people out of themselves for a few hours.”