Guitar Class in 50 States: Coda

By Thomas Amoriello Jr.
NAfME Council for Guitar Education Chair (2018-2020)

guitar educationSince November 2017, the Guitar Class in 50 States “Music in a Minuet” blog series has visited guitar educators in a variety of settings from elementary, middle, and high schools, private, parochial, preparatory, charter, magnet, and performing arts schools. Many colorful stories have shown the dedication of each teacher and the accomplishments of their students. In turn, these articles have helped guitar educators in isolated circumstances not feel completely alone and brought attention to some high functioning, award-winning programs. The feedback received via social media “likes, shares, and comments,” private email correspondence from respected educators and administrators, as well as reprints in various state music education journals are evidence that guitar education is here to stay and not a passing fad or novelty.

electric guitar with American flag design

Image courtesy of Thomas Amoriello Jr.

 

On many levels the guitar has aided children emotionally and socially providing an outlet to the disinterested-in-school teenager and academic relief to the highly motivated college bound young leader with a schedule full of AP courses. Introverts and extroverts; gifted and talented, and students on academic probation; affluent and free-and-reduced lunch recipients; and all in between: Guitar education reflects diversity and provides a common ground for all to come together.

Thank you to all of the readers, the National Executive Board of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the NAfME Council for Guitar Education, and the educators who participated in this project. These articles would not be possible or a part of “Music in a Minuet” without the assistance of NAfME communications team.

 

Read the past “Guitar Class in 50 States” articles:

About the author:

Tom Amoriello

Photo by Jon Carlucci

Thomas Amoriello Jr. is the Immediate Past Chair of the NAfME Council for Guitar Education and is also the former Chairperson for the New Jersey Music Education Association. Tom has taught guitar classes for the Flemington Raritan School District in Flemington, New Jersey, since 2005 and was also an adjunct guitar instructor at Cumberland County College, New Jersey, for five years. He has earned a Master of Music Degree in Classical Guitar Performance from Shenandoah Conservatory and a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Rowan University. He is the author of the children’s picture books A Journey to Guitarland with Maestro Armadillo and Ukulele Sam Strums in the Sand, both available from Black Rose Writing. He recently made a heavy metal recording with a stellar roster of musicians including former members of Black Sabbath, Whitesnake, Ozzy Osbourne, Yngwie J. Malmsteen’s Rising Force, and Dio that was released on H42 Records of Hamburg, Germany. The record released on 12-inch vinyl and digital platforms has received favorable reviews in many European rock magazines and appeared on the 2018 Top 15 Metal Albums list by Los Angeles KNAC Radio (Contributor Dr. Metal). Visit thomasamoriello.com for more information.

 

Did this blog spur new ideas for your music program? Share them on Amplify! Interested in reprinting this article? Please review the reprint guidelines.

The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) provides a number of forums for the sharing of information and opinion, including blogs and postings on our website, articles and columns in our magazines and journals, and postings to our Amplify member portal. Unless specifically noted, the views expressed in these media do not necessarily represent the policy or views of the Association, its officers, or its employees.

Catherina Hurlburt, Marketing Communications Manager. June 26, 2020. © National Association for Music Education (NAfME.org)

January 2025 Teaching Music

Published Date

June 26, 2020

Category

  • Uncategorized

Copyright

June 26, 2020. © National Association for Music Education (NAfME.org)

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