Twenty-Twenty-Two, GITC in Review!

Friends, thanks for joining us for this visual journey through some of the many highlights from Guitars & Ukes in the Classroom's services and experiences the past year. We were big on programs, both during and after school, and in the summer, but smaller on gatherings.  Like everyone, we are hoping for a healthier and safer 2023 when community events such as our popular house concerts, retreats, and more in-person professional development classes can once again ring out with the sounds of music. Thank you for helping us take such big steps back into teaching in person in 2022!

Glimpses into GITC 2022 Classrooms

Adaptive Music Rocks! Adaptive Music for Achievement in Inclusion & Special Education

Teachers and support staff train with us in Adaptive Music so all students can participate and experience the benefits and beauty of music's transformative power. This is a great adventure! We encourage everyone to release preconceived notions and begin exploring music as organized sound. We start by playing basic beats, rhythms, and patterns using a variety of instruments.
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We deepen our listening, noticing how students respond, and which sounds bring fascination and joy. From that point, we go with what they like, and develop unique ways students can touch, hold, shake, blow, hum into or strum an instrument to create their own music. Whether a student is ambulatory, moves with supports or with a wheelchair, or is in bed full time, possibly hooked up to machines, the passion and creativity of special educators and home hospital teachers is making music possible. Supported by parents, music making for many has become a family experience!

Sometimes musical adaptations are minimal, accommodating just for sound sensitivity. Other times, adaptations require speech generating devices, apps, or touch pads to activate sounds for nonverbal students. One way or another, one student at a time, GITC is supporting these incredible teachers to make music, and it is changing their students' lives. They are discovering their own abilities, sensitivities, and creativity. For some, the music is leading to vocalization, speech, and new motor abilities. For others, it is easing pain. For all, it is creating a stronger sense of aliveness, and most of all, connection to the people in their lives. We are grateful for everyone's support to develop this field of Adaptive Music.     

Musical Moments with Level Up San Diego

What can we say? After school music is the bomb! In 2022, we held GITC Strummers Clubs at schools throughout the San Diego Unified School District. Clubs served students from Kindergarten through High School, and grouped students in cross-aged groups, with grades K-1-2 or 3-4-5, 6-8, and 9-12 being the most common combinations. This one-room-schoolhouse approach was a joyful experience and led to improved social skills as older students helped younger students who looked up to them, and a good time was had by all. Our clubs combined music with literacy education, social-emotional learning, visual art, dance, movement, and the music of different cultures. We are excited about the possibility of continuing Strummers Clubs in Summer, 2023! Stiina (first photo) became the Queen of Supplies, getting instruments, art supplies, snacks, and tshirts out to everyone each week!

GITC GATHERINGS & COMMUNITY EVENTS

Faculty Trainers, Teaching Artists, and Summer Strummers Club Leaders and Hosts

2022 was an exciting year for our faculty! We added many more teachers and Strummers Club hosts to make all of our services possible, and we'll be adding more photos and names here as we get them. The fellow in this first photo is an amazing former principal from Los Angeles Unified, Christopher Clarke, who retired in June and has joined our team as a truly remarkable teaching artist! During his leadership first at Lankershim Elementary, then at Canterbury Elementary, Christopher brought GITC to his faculties, set up fabulous music rooms, and visited classrooms regularly to connect with the students and lead songs. We are over the moon that he is bringing is expertise and passion for music to students in his new role with Guitars & Ukes in the Classroom!