MUSIC TEACHERS LEAD THE WAY!
VAPA Partnerships
GITC loves to partner with school district departments of Visual & Performing Arts, otherwise know as "VAPA." We can bring special services and resources to music departments wishing to collaborate. This is how many districts develop rich programs- by collaborating with community arts partners like GITC.
Folk Instruments Fit In!
Not every music teacher knows how to play guitar or ukulele- or how to teach these instruments simply at any grade level. Many major in a demanding solo instrument such as voice, flute or piano during graduate school. Folk instruments were not necessarily a part of that experience. So GITC brings music educators the warmth, portability and harmony of the guitar and the ease and brightness of the ukulele with our simple "readiness" method we call SmartStart. We teach the instruments interchangeably and start out in Hawaiian Open Tuning. This progresses to Standard Tuning as students gain dexterity at an achievable pace.
GITC loves to partner with school district departments of Visual & Performing Arts, otherwise know as "VAPA." We can bring special services and resources to music departments wishing to collaborate. This is how many districts develop rich programs- by collaborating with community arts partners like GITC.
Folk Instruments Fit In!
Not every music teacher knows how to play guitar or ukulele- or how to teach these instruments simply at any grade level. Many major in a demanding solo instrument such as voice, flute or piano during graduate school. Folk instruments were not necessarily a part of that experience. So GITC brings music educators the warmth, portability and harmony of the guitar and the ease and brightness of the ukulele with our simple "readiness" method we call SmartStart. We teach the instruments interchangeably and start out in Hawaiian Open Tuning. This progresses to Standard Tuning as students gain dexterity at an achievable pace.
HOW CAN MUSIC EDUCATORS TRAIN WITH US?
- When we are contacted by a music teacher who wants training, we ask for help reaching out to the district coordinator for Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) to see if they would like us to offer training for their interested faculty members. If they are interested, we work together to make it happen! If you are such a teacher, please let us know!
- Once a working partnership is developed, GITC trains all interested music teachers to play and teach ukulele and guitar using our open tuning method designed for children's developing motor skills. We supply the instruments, if needed, thanks to our sponsors.
- Music educators learn to incorporate songwriting, too, and to purpose that for academic achievement in math, language learning and STEAM education!
- General music teachers readily welcome the opportunity to explore great American folk traditions through GITC's Songs for Learning. Becoming a part of preserving this important body of historical music by passing it along to the youngest generation is important.
- Participating music educators access guitars & ukuleles, receive training in how to successfully incorporate these instruments in their existing scope and sequence, and techniques for teaching these instruments to TK-5 students, using GITC’s tried & true open tuning method as part of an Off-based approach to instruction.
- GITC shares access to our subsidized purchase pathways with our sponsors. This makes starting and maintaining popular stringed instrument programs an affordable reality.
- Music educators trained by GITC often love the work so much they become our Faculty Trainers, bringing professional development Strum & Sing instruction to their general classroom colleagues.
