Dear GAMA:

I recently had the pleasure of taking a 7 week class with Pete Pembroke, in Chico. Pete was a wonderful teacher because he continually had us share success stories, and always encouraged us to do our best and to just have fun. He also gave us the encouragement to play for our children in our classrooms, which many of us did.

This was a great time for me because I was able to learn basic tunes that I can use with my 1st/2nd grade classroom. Our school district eliminated our music singing program at the elem level, and therefore we have no music. This is a huge loss, and luckily I can supplement it with some of the songs that I've learned through your program. My children love singing the basic songs that we've learned, and even more exciting we made our own six stanza song, to the tune of "She'll Be Coming Round the Mountain" about the life of Harriet Tubman.

I never had the nerve to play in front of a class because I didn't know how, didn't have the confidence, and didn't have any easy songs that they would be familiar with. But I now feel comfortable strumming and singing with my kids. It's amazing how many songs you can do with the chords of A, D, G, and C. I would have never thought of having my class compose their own lyrics about educational learning, but I can see the huge benefit of it, and we'll be doing lots more of it in the future... I can see a song coming about our earth science/cavern unit.

I can't wait to take the next class that Pete offers... maybe a more advanced one, introducing a few more chords, or one specifically dealing with strumming. This has been great for me, and I specifically have three people who will be taking the class the next time Pete offers it. I personally practice my GITC songs, but I've also googled songs that I've wanted to learn by J Taylor, E John, John Denver, Beatles, etc... And, I'm doing more learning on my own! I now own my own guitar and I've got the bug to do more!

Thanks for this great program, and for all the wonderful gifts like the picks, guitar strap, polishing cloth, and strings! Finally, I anticipate, in the next year or two, bringing a school wide sing along on Fridays... Pete talked about this quite a bit, and perhaps after the next session I can maybe do some of the strumming, with the help of some of the other teachers. I can at least help to get it organized so that we can get a music program back into our school... I think that the morale will really improve with something like this in place.

Sincerely,

Danelle Holt

Dear GAMA:

Since Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, I have been working with Guitars in the Classroom to bring music making into the shelters in our region. We have over 15,000 evacuees living here in three large shelters and every hotel/motel in town. Many of the evacuated children are now attending schools here in the area. And in these schools they are finding 80 teachers who began training with GITC earlier this year. Some of these children are joining classes in which teachers are now able to help them make music with their new classmates and friends.

Although GITC usually spends it resources training teachers, I was allowed to work directly with the children in our shelters because this mini-project has allowed us to reach children in need at the same time as we are training the school teachers (through my regular strum and sing program) here in Alexandria. Sometimes we have to go beyond our normal outreach to do what is needed.

Together with GITC, we are creating community. And children are learning about music. Each time, I have begun my visits with a sing along with my guitar. Then, I pass out 3/4 size guitars that I let the children strum and play. They are learning to take turns and are helping each other out. And everyone sings along as we sing a variety of well known songs. We are also doing some really simple song writing. Using songs like "May There Always Be Sunshine", the children are able to substitute words to fill in the song and facilitate talking about things they like and cannot live without.

Everyone is having a great time. It is very hard to leave each day. They never want it to end. I know that this is making a difference in their lives. They are having fun, they are cooperating, and they are being exposed to the joy of music making. It is something they will remember always. Thank you for everything you have done as individuals and as members of your organization to make our efforts in Louisiana possible. When people are suffering, they need to gather together in song and your generosity has helped us make this possible.

Judy Ginsburgh

Program Coordinator

Alexandria, Louisiana

Dear GAMA,

I am a new GITC program coordinator and instructor and want to thank you for supporting this amazing program. It is making a huge positive impact in teacher's and children’s lives. GITC is totally improving the quality of both the teacher and student’s learning experience in the schools. I have one instructor feeling confident enough to accompany entire school assemblies as well as incorporating music in her daily curriculum. Another person is brightening up the day at a daycare center inspiring children to sing daily. I have yet another instructor wanting to incorporate guitar and singing while teaching science. The main theme running throughout is that both the teachers and the kids get to experience being re-energized and inspired in an academic environment.

This work is invaluable and we need resources to continue to make the program run. I currently have requests to start classes at specific schools as well as at UC Berkeley. People know when something works to bring out a student's full potential. Music is one of those gifts.

I have been teaching guitar classes and privately for the past 6 years and a professional guitarist for 10 years. For the past 4 years, I’ve worked primarily with the elders of society. My purpose is to inspire people to be their fullest potential through music. GITC gives me the opportunity to expand my work to encompass the full spectrum- all ages. I am completely enthusiastic and inspired to be a facilitator for teachers/kids learning through guitar and music. Being involved in GITC has re-ignited my passion for music and guitar.

Thank you very much for contributing to making a difference for future generations.

Sincerely,

Quinn E Fitzpatrick