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We all
know that music and the arts are key components to providing
students with a well-rounded educational experience. These
classes are especially important during a time when a student’s
intellectual development is at its peak. In the current climate,
where budgetary cuts hit music and arts departments first,
teachers are searching for creative ways to continually expand
their programs. One way educators are doing this is by offering
classes that will appeal to a wider range of students with
varying interests—for instance, guitar!
Becker Middle School Symphonic Guitar
Ensemble, Las Vegas, NV
Today,
more and more music directors across the country are discovering
the benefits of teaching guitar in the classroom. They are
a welcomed addition and help attract new students to existing
music programs. And although teachers are overjoyed about
the prospect of having more kids participating in music classes,
some are concerned about students electing to take guitar
instead of “traditional” music courses when in
fact the opposite is true. Guitar classes bring more students
into music programs that otherwise might not be interested.
Some of these groups include at-risk students looking for
something to keep their attention in school; kids who may
only be interested in athletics, or those interested in learning
to play a second instrument.
Since roughly 80% of students don’t participate in school
music programs, a guitar class is a great way of reaching
out to these kids. Students who elect to take guitar classes
often join other performing ensemble groups within the school,
and once they are involved in school-sponsored music, the
door is open to exploring existing programs such as choir,
band and orchestra!
Administrators nationwide are beginning to take notice of
this interest and are experiencing the benefits by offering
more guitar classes in more school districts every day. They
know that these classes help keep kids in school, and give
many new music students encouragement that can lead to further
success in the standard curriculum.
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