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Guitars in the Classroom (GITC) is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit with headquarters in Solana Beach, California and programs operating in twenty-four states. Guitars in the Classroom inspires, trains and equips K-8 classroom teachers and early childhood educators 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. GITC-trained classroom teachers provide free, daily music making opportunities to all students in participating classrooms, including many who would not otherwise have this opportunity. It is GITC's mission to develop and sustain these regional programs for educators, students and communities from coast-to-coast.
Each program is run by trained GITC instructors and is designed to help classroom teachers:
I: Provide a learning environment that encourages children to draw upon their multiple intelligences, with special emphasis on developing and using musical means of learning and self expression.
II: Provide teachers and schools with new teaching tools that develop musicality, auditory learning skills, and musical appreciation while enriching the curriculum in order to engage student interest, boost student motivation to learn, and support compliance with curricular learning standards.
III: Build a means through which Spanish speaking children can develop their command of the English language through music, while their English speaking classmates concurrently develop greater Spanish skills and an appreciation for Spanish language and music.
IV: Build a means through which children of different cultures and backgrounds can communicate and establish common ground.
V: Encourage family involvement by scheduling special events and workshops designed to foster an understanding of music and its value to education.
Since 2001, Guitars in the Classroom has received annual support from GAMA. These funds have helped GITC run training programs while developing three models of instruction: Strum & Sing for working classroom teachers, GITC-ECE for early childhood educators, and Oaks & Acorns for primary classrooms and senior citizens. GITC's fourth model GITC-Up (University Programs) focuses on training student teachers in credentialing programs, and that model's development is funded by the D'Addario Foundation for the Performing Arts.
In January 2009, as it has done for the past two years, GAMA generously granted GITC $3,000. This year, the grant monies will be used to help GITC develop new funding sources by retaining the services of a skilled development consultant.
To learn more about Guitars in the Classroom visit their website at:
www.guitarsintheclassroom.org.
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