The Haldane Blues Devils has been a club here at Haldane for decades. When math teacher Christian Hoolan came to Haldane in 2013, the club had been on hiatus for a year. In 2014, he took it upon himself to restart the school rock band. He wanted to give students who did not have a formal music background an outlet to play less traditional music like Rock and Metal, as opposed to classical and jazz, in a stress-free environment. Hoolan was previously a drummer in a cover band and wanted to share his experience with students. He ran the club for over ten years, meeting for two hours after school every week. 

This year, Hoolan relinquished his spot as club supervisor to Dan McGroarty, the Haldane music teacher, as he has been dealing with health issues relating to his back and hips.  He says he wants to try running the club again one day after he gets his back and hips back in order, if McGroarty doesn’t want to do it anymore. Reflecting on his time with the band, he said the whole last year was a highlight. His favorite moment in particular was when junior Aiden Wick played the solo from “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses at the Rockapella concert. He also enjoyed playing drums with the band throughout his time in Blues Devils, a role he embraced during COVID when they had to play outside in the freezing cold.  Although he is leaving the club, there is still a future for the Blues Devils. 

McGroarty is no stranger to bands, having played in them since middle school, mostly as a bassist, but also as a keyboardist and lead guitarist. Speaking on his decision to take over the club, McGroarty said,  “when [Hoolan] told me he needed to take a step back, I did not hesitate to offer to take on the opportunity to work with these hardworking and rocking students… I hope to accomplish giving each student a chance to show off what they do best.” His only alteration to the club so far has been changing rehearsals to Tuesdays. Practice will be needed to have a well put-together performance. The Blues Devil’s main performance this year is at the Rockapella in April, where they will play their full set of rehearsed songs at their very own school concert. McGroarty has a lot of songs in mind for this performance, but he emphasized one point: “But what I will say is, be sure to see the finale at Rock-a-Pella this year on April 23!”