GITC Essentials

About Guitars In The Classroom (GITC)

Guitars in the Classroom is a nationally operating non-profit organization that inspires, trains and equips classroom teachers to integrate music and music making across the general studies curriculum through “song-based learning” so that all students from pre-school through high school have the opportunity to participate in and learn through making music in their regular classrooms each day.

Our programs provide “easy” group guitar, singing, song leading and song writing instruction that help teachers integrate the visual and performing arts standards into their lessons. And, thanks to the generous support of numerous sponsors from the music products industry, GITC is able to provide participating teachers with free access to instruments, musical accessories, resource materials, and advice. GITC's grassroots approach to cultivating regional classes provides professional and volunteer opportunities to musically inclined educators and community members working together to create lasting local programs from coast to coast.

Currently, our free programs in 43 locations reach over a quarter of a million children by training their teachers to lead music each year.

↑ Back to Top

GITC Mission Statement

Guitars in the Classroom inspires, trains and equips classroom teachers to integrate singing and playing guitar into children's daily school experiences in service of learning across the curriculum. By providing “easy” music, guitar and singing instruction, access to instruments, resource materials, and program supervision, Guitars in the Classroom (GITC) empowers educators of children birth to fourteen to transform their classrooms into musical environments in which childhood creativity is nurtured and embraced. Our programs provide free, daily music making opportunities to all students in GITC classrooms, including many who would not otherwise have this opportunity. It is our mission to develop and sustain these regional programs for educators, students and communities from coast-to-coast.

↑ Back to Top

Our Executive Director

Bio coming soon!

↑ Back to Top

What We Do

GITC helps teachers make learning at school especially fun and creative by teaching them to play guitar, sing, lead children in song, and giving them ways to integrate music into daily studies and activities.

GITC helps teachers find new ways to build students' musical self-esteem and self-confidence by offering practical skills and lesson ideas for daily musical activities.

GITC addresses the learning styles and strengths of students across the ability spectrum, bringing out the best in children who often struggle with more traditional modes of learning.

GITC trains teachers to boost student literacy skills as well as multi-cultural awareness through the inclusion of songs in Spanish and English as well as other bilingual songs from a variety cultures.

GITC trains teachers to boost students' language arts skills through songwriting and lyric writing activities as well as through literature-based songwriting activities.

GITC trains teachers to engage children in every subject area through the inclusion of songs that introduce, reinforce or extend learning across the elementary school curriculum at all grade levels.

↑ Back to Top

GITC 2008 Board of Directors

↑ Back to Top