Modern Band is a contemporary music program that gives students the opportunity to learn, create, and perform the music they know and love. Centered on popular genres such as rock, pop, hip-hop, R&B, country, Latin, indie, and more, students develop musicianship through hands-on experiences with guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, vocals, and music technology.

   Like traditional music programs, Modern Band teaches the core elements of music—including rhythm, melody, harmony, form, technique, ear training, improvisation, composition, and performance—but through the lens of contemporary music. By connecting these concepts to music that is relevant and engaging, students build a strong musical foundation while developing skills that transfer across all styles.

   At the heart of Modern Band is student agency. Students make knowledgable and meaningful musical choices by learning and practicing the different elements of music, active listening, selecting repertoire, arranging songs, writing original music, and taking on different roles within the ensemble. This ownership fosters creativity, independence, and confidence while encouraging students to discover their own musical voice.

   Modern Band also develops the habits that make successful musicians and learners. Through purposeful practice, collaboration, and performance, students build self-discipline, responsibility, leadership, and communication skills in a supportive, inclusive environment where every student has the opportunity to contribute and succeed.

   Mr. Clinton brings decades of personal instrumental study and expertise in guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, and vocals.  He built this program through writing multiple grants, starting with a very generous one offered in honor of Dorothy Black, a long time pillar of the Wyalusing music community and loved piano teacher.  This grant was offered by her sons, and was the main catalyst of this program being able to start; the other being urging by the Wyalusing Administration to add more electives.  For both we are beyond grateful, and are seeing the program grow quickly!!  Mr. Clinton spent all of several summers working on grants, running a community donation program, repairing and servicing all of the donated and purchased instruments and gear, buying thousands of dollars of personal instruments and gear to bring to school for his students, and writing and revising the curriculum, teaching resources, and combining external resources.  He is highly and sacrificially invested in bringing great musical experiences to a broader population of Wyalusing students, is devoted to the unofficial and longstanding Wyalusing Music Department motto "Music for All", and is thrilled to teach Modern Band to Wyalusing.