Even Rock Stars need an education.
I teach for a school where the poverty is high. Students come in to my class to learn to play the guitar, and I go on to Craigslist to find guitars for them for a price I can afford. Both my students and I practice until we have blisters on our fingers and I know my students make fun of me in a way that teenagers are prone to do. They make fun in a way that tells me that they respect the music and want to learn. They ask if I have had enough coffee to sing to them (I always have.) and they want to know if I have ever been institutionalized. (I haven't, but I would never let them know.)
But whenever I pull out a new chord for them to learn, they lean forward. When I tell them I know what music is on their charts, and that I can play it, they dare me. After that a kind of completion erupts. Who can play the latest Coldplay song best?
I hope they beat me someday don’t you?
In my guitar class, we need sheet music, guitar strings and software that will allow us to publish our music. The world needs this from us! My students have learned that writing the notes by hand is cool, but really, pencils are for old people and if you can't use music software, you can't succeed in the music business.
We need a copy of Finale. A pirated version will simply not do! (Because it will land the instructor in jail.) The students need to learn the ropes and tools of the professional world. They need to get a taste and go to college. With your help, I can provide that taste and push them into a school. If they learn during their sophomore year that the guitar was fun but that medicine is really where it is at, I think we have done our job. Don't you?
Strings.
Books.
Music Software.
This is all it just might take to keep our little rock star in school.
I think it's worth it at twice the price, don't you?
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Maury and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.