Hemet High School’s Guitar Club is as diverse as music itself.

Guitarists who play in garage bands, special education students and beginners just picking up the instrument have all found a home in the group.

“Kids that may not be into athletics or ASB or are too intimidated to check out another club with someone they don’t know” are encouraged to join,” said Zach Hornsey, a special education teacher and the club’s adviser.

After a few years of tuning up, the club now has about 25 members who meet every Tuesday and Thursday during two lunch periods. They play whatever they like, work on chord phrasings or ask each other questions about playing.

Hornsey, who has been part of the club since its start, said this is the first year the club has put on events and recruited.

Nick Banks said the club took his music in a new direction.

“I found a different style of music I had never heard before,” said Nick, 17. “I only played classic rock before, but when I heard what Mr. Hornsey was playing I thought it sounded super cool. It was finger-picking, classical stuff.”

Roy Chamorro is new to Hemet, having transferred from Moreno Valley. He has been playing guitar for almost five years and said the club gave him an instant connection to students at his new school.

“This club crosses over all genres,” said Roy, 16. “We find a commonality.”

Jason Harris, 14, prefers heavy, hardcore metal rock. Working with his dad, he built the customized electric guitar he plays at meetings.

Hornsey, who has been playing for about 25 years, is assisted by other club advisers, teacher Ryan Ortiz and aide Amanda Smith.

During the approximately 50-minute sessions in Hornsey’s room, students eat and then meet.

“I like to think of (the club) as a place to get away from everything,” said Jessie Teters, an 18-year-old who started playing about a year ago. “If I’m in a certain type of mood I write all my feelings out and then make it into a song.”

Hornsey hopes an April 11 fundraiser at the school will raise the club’s profile.

Jake Kiley and Chris Aiken of Los Angeles-based punk rock band Strung Out will appear at the school theater from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. to play a few songs, talk about music and answer questions from the audience. The group, which has played at Ozz Fest and on the Warped Tour, will release its eighth studio album in June. Thanks to local businesses, the event will include a prize drawing.

Money from the event will be used to buy guitar strings and pay for music-related field trips. Buying loaner guitars for students that don’t have their own instrument is on the club’s wish list.

Ben Collins, 15, enjoys the club but doesn’t know how music will fit into his life when he goes to college to become an accountant.

“While I have the time and ability, I’ll take it,” he said. “For now, I’m having fun.”

Roy plans to pursue a career in music.

“As long as I live, I will play music – it’s the only thing that makes sense,” he said.

If you have a story idea about the arts at Inland high schools for Varsity Arts, contact Assistant Metro Editor Mark Acosta at 951-368-9362 or [email protected]

GUITAR CLUB FUNDRAISER

WHAT: The Hemet High Guitar Club welcomes members of the punk rock band Strung Out

WHERE: Hemet High School Theater, 41701 E. Stetson Ave., Hemet.

WHEN: April 11 at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5 p.m.

DETAILS: The event will raise money for loaner guitars, strings and music-related field trips.

COST: $5 for those with Hemet High identification, $7 presale for non-students and $10 at the door

INFORMATION: [email protected].