As three minutes of passing time comes to an end, music fills the hallways of Scituate High School. Some eyes widen as students scurry into their class while others lag behind unphased by the song blasting through the speakers. The bell music has been a tradition at SHS since the school’s renovations in 2001. It was first organized as a way for administrators to motivate students to get to class.

   Math teacher Ms. Szymaniak, whose husband was part of administration at the time, said “It was kind of like musical chairs. You have to be in the chair by the [time the] music ends.” At the beginning of the decade long tradition, students were recommending songs frequently. Even entire sports teams got involved, playing songs that rallied up the school for game day.

    However, time has passed and the bell music seems to have taken the position of background music. While some students could care less, others, like junior Katie Irish, depend on the songs to brighten their school day. Irish said, “It helps to improve my mood over the day. When I’m stressed over classes, I take a break and dance to the music.”

    Some people have suggested having themes such as 80s, 90s, techno, jazz, country, classical, rock, punk, or R&B each week. Freshman Lauren Flynn suggests her favorite singers Ariana Grande and Bruno Mars for possible bell music artists. “I like Pop,” said Flynn. The diversity of styles are inevitable, and students can sacrifice one day of hearing a song that they usually wouldn’t listen to. That’s what represents the variety of people’s tastes and the unique students at SHS.

    Assistant principal Mr. Duffy said any student or staff member “can suggest music of all genres and languages, provided that they are appropriate and generally positive in tone.” He also mentioned how the previous schools he taught at didn’t play music through the halls during passing time. As a newcomer to SHS he said, “ I think that the bell music establishes a positive and upbeat tone at Scituate High School. I wish my high school had music during passing time. It likely would have elevated my mood.”

    Most students, however, might not know how to recommend a song. First, students must make a CD (yes, they do still exist) and bring it to either Mrs. Ward or Mr. Duffy. The song’s lyrics must also be handed in with the disk.

   “Provided that the CD plays on the machine and the lyrics are clean, the song will be played within five days,” said Mr. Duffy. Since students rarely contribute ideas for bell music, Mr. Duffy must choose the songs we hear in the halls and although he doesn’t mind them, he would like to hear more of the students’ favorite music, especially more of which he rarely gets to listen to, like country. This is one aspect of SHS where students have the opportunity to shape our school through their musical creativity. Students can have a say in what Scituate High School’s environment is like. If you have a suggestion for possible bell music, don’t let this tradition fade and submit it to administration to continue the SHS tradition.