by Gregg Goodhart

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It is with great interest that I read Sandra Dackow's recent article, "Why Orchestra" in the February 2004 issue of American String Teacher. The writer laments that only 20% of schools have orchestra programs and then says, "20% is a failing grade." What grade then do we give to the classical guitar?

Of course, all of the advocacy arguments for music education apply to formal guitar instruction as they do for any instrument. However, the guitar brings other dynamics as well.

Guitar is unique among instruments involved in art music in that it, in all of its forms, is the most popular instrument in the world. As a portal to art music for young people its potential is extraordinary. Obviously young people have a familiarity with the guitar because of their affinity for popular styles of music. The familiarity to them, because of popular styles, creates a relationship the can be exploited to lead young people to more formal music.

I, myself, have experienced, first hand, hundreds of students who would not have taken up a traditional string instrument who were willing to take a classical guitar class to fulfill their high school fine arts credit. Many of these students discovered a true love of the classical guitar and art music in general in this way. It is some of these students who found a field of study in college and potential scholarship opportunities that would have otherwise never existed for them.

In a recent survey of 63 students (ages 15 to 18) involved in the beginning classical guitar classes at Servite High School in Anaheim, CA, 32% (20) indicated that they would not have taken up the instrument or been involved in music at school at all, had not this class been offered. This is at a school of approximately 750 students. Double and triple these numbers for larger schools accordingly.

Further, what about talented and motivated young people who learn to play by ear? (This represents the great majority of those who play popular styles.) Many of these people do not have the opportunity for post secondary music education because of their lack of a formal foundation. How many of these people eschew college altogether to play the lottery of, 'making it' in popular music. The opportunity to study music formally can be the difference between a job at a fast food restaurant versus the opportunities that are afforded with a college education.

In the survey 41% (26) indicated they had played on their own outside of school but would not have learned to play the classical guitar (formal training) without the class. Further, 65% (41) indicated they would like to continue playing classical guitar whether that meant going on to the advanced classes or just for their own enjoyment.

When asked if they felt differently about classical music because of the class, some of the responses included: "It is complex and not boring," "I have new respect for it," "It is a very interesting part of our history," "I respect the musicians more for their hard work and dedication," "I see that it isn't really boring and it is fun to play," "I've learned to appreciate the techniques and work put into classical music," and, "This class puts the world in a whole different light. When I hear music, I want to analyze it and figure it out. The subtle things in classical music stand out to me now, I think a lot more musically now." Most of the other responses were much like these.

What does this mean to string players at large? What would such pre-college programs mean to our field as a whole? Consider how many educated appreciators of music would be created if attracted by the guitar. Any serious program would accomplish this. While not all participants would be drawn to art music, many would. Most of these would represent those who otherwise would not have been involved at all. They would build a library of recordings of great string music. They would avail themselves of concerts of the great string music literature. Consider how many would be drawn to composition and contribute to the string literature, as many guitarist/composers currently do. What a boon it would be to all serious musicians if the classical guitar were included in school programs, just as orchestra and band are included.

In fact, I have seen all of this first hand. I am in my fifth year of building the classical guitar program at Servite High School in Anaheim, CA. I have seen those who were indifferent to serious art music become enthralled by it. They now can learn music by Bach. They can also appreciate music by Beethoven. There is no question that most of them never would have considered the worth of this type of music without recognizing it first on the classical guitar.

It has become commonplace for students and parents to see guitar ensembles and soloists at functions, now everyone knows someone who plays classical guitar - it is part of the school culture. Enrollment in the beginning and advanced classes represents 9% of the entire student population, and the program is still growing. Such a percentage as this is enough to justify the program at any school. (I also teach music history/appreciation and music theory.)

So, it IS possible to create a full time position for a guitar instructor at the high school level. I recently received a poster from ASTA emblazoned with the phrase, "5,000 string teachers wanted." How many guitarists, who are ready and willing to teach, are graduating with no employment opportunities in their chosen field, while at the same time, many students are (or would be) hungry to learn from them but will not be afforded that opportunity?

I am currently serving as the Director of Pre-College Education Programs for the Guitar Foundation of America. We are developing a long-term advocacy project for the inclusion of formal classical guitar instruction in the pre-college environment.

I would welcome any thoughts or suggestions at ggoodhart@guitarfoundation.org. I would be especially interested in hearing from those who have guitar programs in an accredited pre-college environment, as there are some questions the GFA would like to ask of you. Also, anyone who would be willing to help with this project is encouraged to write.

The guitar has been fighting a battle since the late 19th century to be recognized in its rightful place alongside other serious art music instruments. Happily, ASTA has supported this effort by helping to nurture the Guitar Foundation of America in its early days and including guitar related events in its activities.

The explosion of programs of serious guitar study at the college level in the second half of the twentieth century heralded its arrival. The inclusion of the guitar as an instrument of serious study in the pre college environment is an idea whose time has come.