ST SEBASTIAN’S

FINE ARTS
DEPARTMENT
No Rules & No Limits
How playing the guitar has influenced the life of Joe kerwin ’15.
By Dan Tobin
Joe kerwin’s ’15 life changed the day his mother had him watch
the movie AHardDay’sNight when he was in the third grade.
She had thought he might enjoy listening to the music of e
Beatles; little did she know the impact that music would have on
him.
“I fell in love with that movie,” noted kerwin. “I must have
watched it at least 500 times. I used to know every line to all of e
Beatles’ songs from it. ey’re
my all-time favorite band.”
kerwin’s love for e Beatles
started a love for music that has
been blossoming ever since. By
the time he was in the fourth
grade, he had his heart set on
playing the drums. When his
uncle offered to buy him a guitar,
however, he jumped at the opportunity. Lessons followed. kerwin
was hooked.
“When I got the guitar I begged my parents for lessons,” stated
kerwin. “I was really pumped to start playing. I love music. If I
could do anything with my life, that’s what I would do. It’s my
passion.”
When it was time to decide upon a school, kerwin wanted a
place where he would be able to pursue his love for music. A call
from a current St. Sebastian’s student cemented his decision – he was
coming to St. Sebastian’s.
He said, “One student who extended himself to me was Luke
Scotten ’13. I was curious about what the music program had to
Musicgivesmetheopportunityto
create...erearenorulesandno
limitstowhatIcando.
offer, and Luke came aer school one day to meet me and discuss the
program. Talking with a fellow guitarist gave me insight into what
the music program was really like. is interaction also
demonstrated how caring the people at St. Sebastian’s are. Here was
a student who was willing to give his time to a person he had never
met. at made a lasting impression.”
kerwin has been considered by some at St. Sebastian’s to be the
quintessential renaissance man.
A strong student in the
classroom, he also plays sports
and is active in every musical
opportunity that is placed before
him.
“I’ve played in the Jazz Band,
Pop Rock Band, Mass Ensemble,
and the Pit Band,” noted kerwin.
“Mr. Grohmann and Mr. Chambers reached out to me early. It’s
been great. I’ve had plenty of opportunities. e music program has
really stretched me as a musician.”
His teachers couldn’t agree more. Meyer Chambers, who directs
the School’s Mass Ensemble, noted:
“dependable, regular, consistent, and faithful. Joe is in many
ways a quiet riot. He is one of the most respectful students I have
ever worked with. I can always count on him to be there. I can
always count on him to take his music home and work on it. He
goes the extra mile to bring it to his private guitar lessons to get extra
help with his mass music. Very quiet and reserved, Joe is extremely
polite and hardworking. For such a young guitarist, he has the
36 | ST. SEBASTIAN’S MAGAZINE Volume VI, Issue II