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#426787 - 10/07/16 10:57 AM
OT: My guitar club was shut down....BUMMER!
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Senior Member
Registered: 01/02/04
Posts: 7305
Loc: Lexington, Ky, USA
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For 5 years, it has been my honor to supply guitars, tuners, cases, recording equipment, PA...anything needed for a unique program in Louisville, Kentucky at Kenwick elementary school.
I visited the day the widow of a former musician I was guardian of and I went to her grandaughter's graduation. In her home room was a stack of "garage find" guitars. The teacher, Angela Hardin (I'd adopt her if I could), assisted by her great husband, was buying used guitars, fixing them up and conducting a guitar club after school.
I don't think she believed me at first, but a week after our meeting, I showed up with a truck full of brand new equipment.
The club became really popular...so popular that another teacher from another school began busing students to the school and using the equipment. I gave the top two students in each class their own guitar every semester. The school seemed to love the program. It was one of the more popular of the clubs the kids joined as part of the overall education experience. This was in a troubled neighborhood, with many challenged kids.
Abruptly, this year, the program was cancelled as a cost-saving effort, as were all other arts related programs.
Thing is, this one cost the school NOTHING! I paid all costs and the teachers did the instruction on their own time.
What a shame. The guitars were given to the best students and I got a box of GREAT thank-you letters from the recipients.
My expectations were relatively low. If just 1 kid a year developed an appreciation for art of ANY kind...music, acting, sculpture, film, writing...anything involving the arts, I would be a happy old dude.
Eliminating the arts is going on all over the country. Liberal arts professors are being fired left and right all over the country, including at my beloved UK.
HOW SAD!
Russ
Edited by captain Russ (10/07/16 11:06 AM)
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#426788 - 10/07/16 11:56 AM
Re: OT: My guitar club was shut down....BUMMER!
[Re: captain Russ]
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Senior Member
Registered: 09/21/02
Posts: 5520
Loc: Port Charlotte,FL,USA
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How unbelievably shortsighted, especially with your kind donations.
_________________________
pa4X 76 ,SX900, Audya 76,Yamaha S970 , vArranger, Hammond SK1, Ketron SD40, Centerpoint Space Station, Bose compact
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#426801 - 10/07/16 02:34 PM
Re: OT: My guitar club was shut down....BUMMER!
[Re: Uncle Dave]
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Senior Member
Registered: 01/02/04
Posts: 7305
Loc: Lexington, Ky, USA
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Dave, if you were involved, I'd surely do it. This was a special thing for me...the little girl has a 61 IQ and is a really severe diabetic. She has been in a coma 5 times, steals sweets all the time and has been placed in foster care twice, with terrible results. The mom has a 70 IQ and works her tail off taking care of the girl and a little boy with tumors all over his body, no tongue, a feeding tube, a breathing assistance device and severe retardation. I'm all they have, and it's the most perplexing thing I have ever tried to fix.
The music program was wonderful. Kids with severe challenges responded.
The kids in your area are the exact opposite, I know. But, as my license plate on my car says....
MUSIC MATTERS!
I'd certainly be interested in ANY worthwhile program involving kids and music, and you'd be the best person I know to do it with.
Best personal regards,
Russ
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