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Taking the First Steps
One small step of a teacher today
is a giant leap for the guitar students of tomorrow.
Once you have decided to start a guitar program, the next steps are to get the school community interested and make a proposal to the school administration. Both steps can be done at the same time or in sequence.
Making a Proposal
One of the biggest difficulties when trying to create a guitar program is convincing your school administration. One Florida band and chorus teacher explained the challenges of how proposals for music education compete for funding with proposals from other academic departments when he said, "Priorities are often given to the proposals that will best support the school's strategies," which are usually the ones that can help the school achieve better academic ratings with the state Department of Education.
The GFA has provided an article by Dr. Kevin Vigil, entitled "Advocacy for Guitar in Public Education: How Things Work," that explains how to make a proposal to school administrators. Dr. Vigil states that "it is important for teachers and advocates of music in the schools to be able to communicate to administrators and school board members with terminology that is consistent with the mission of public education. Advocates must be able to present their ideas within the framework of the overall mission of a school’s success."
Launching a school guitar program is easier than rocket science!
Launching a school guitar program is easier than rocket science!
To help you get started, here are templates for making a proposal:
An Open Letter to Visual and Performing Arts Department Heads - NAfME
School Guitar Program Advocacy Template
One of the most important factors for launching a good guitar program is having a music teacher who will advocate for the program within the school. All it takes is one caring person in a school community to ignite the flame.
You can do it! You can be the one to help students, who otherwise would not be involved with music, get on fire for music with the guitar.
Engaging Students
There are many ways to get the school community involved in getting excited about starting a classroom guitar program. One of the best and easiest ways is to arrange a school performance and presentation.
TJ Ryan, our founder, was contacted by his former high school, St. Johns Classical Academy, to make a presentation on his “Pursuit of Excellence in Classical Guitar” to a school assembly of about 300 students.
He played a short 20-minute recital performance and then gave a 10-minute speech about my journey with guitar so far.
Would you like a similar presentation given at your school? Please contact GNF.
More student engagement strategies
Start a guitar club
Find guitar players in your school and organize a jam session
Other performance opportunities
These ideas and more are highlighted in this video to help you get on the launch pad for setting up a classroom guitar program.
You can do this, too!
All of this, engaging students, making a proposal, and making the first steps, may seem daunting.
Change can come with the efforts of just one advocate.
Remember, this is not rocket science!
There is help out there, in the vast unknown.
Many people can guide you along this journey -- see +Resources.
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