MUSCLE SHOALS – Students from several area schools had an opportunity to learn about the Music Industry from experts in the field. The tour, a part of the ongoing effort by Northwest Shoals Community College and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, brought in students from several local high schools.
“Ninth grade Educational Talent Search participants from Central, Wilson, Tharptown, Colbert County, Colbert Heights, Hatton, East Lawrence, R.A. Hubbard and Lawrence County high schools enjoyed a career and cultural experience, visiting the campus of Northwest Shoals Community College and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame on Wednesday, April 12. Students toured various career-tech areas at NW-SCC and learned about educational requirements and career possibilities. NW-SCC students demonstrated a variety of skills, including machining and salon and spa to the approximately 160 visiting students.
The mission of Educational Talent Search is to identify students who have the intellectual ability and desire to continue their education beyond high school, but who need help exploring careers and educational requirements. The program gives students the opportunity to visit colleges to learn about different programs to study. The goal of Talent Search is to prepare young people to enter and complete a post-secondary educational program.
Educational Talent Search has been continuously funded by Congress since its creation in 1965. NW-SCC has been awarded the Talent Search federal grants to serve students in area schools since the early 1970’s. NW-SCC houses three Talent Search grants that cover a broad area in the northwest Alabama region.
Students were entertained at the Alabama Music Hall of Fame by songwriter Mark Narmore, who performed various hits that he has written. Several students were able to join Narmore in an impromptu jam session. Bob Wray, the featured musician for April at the museum, also spoke to the students about his career as a studio session bassist. Wray has performed on tracks for a wide variety of acts; he stated his most memorable moment was playing with Ray Charles. Dixie Griffin of the Alabama Music Hall of Fame introduced students to the musicians and the museum exhibition.”
