Division News Editor

Victoria Enloe

Guitar

Caryn Volk

Spring brings back the nice weather, a chance to reflect, and the excitement of the culmination of the year. And always, there is the “next”… brought another great Giocoso festival with new schools participating, and the most large and small group performances we have ever hosted. We are so proud to host these incredible ensembles, and stand shoulder to shoulder with our traditional cousins! As this event grows, Giocoso 2024 is expected to be even better.

While beginning to reflect on your program’s progress this year, many of you are also planning for the next school year: registering students for their classes and signing up for your own summer training. Does your school or district reflect and plan regarding class offerings in the next year? Considering staffing needs, student needs, and scheduling requirements puts the ribbon on the gift of the year…so why not include non-traditional music classes to appeal to an underserved student base? Guitar is a moderately priced, quickly viable alternative for students and schools who want and need to provide more fine arts classes in their buildings. Even something as simple as a supported independent study can give just one more child a chance to experience music on the next level!

With regard to your own next level, are you continuing to grow?

Are you sustained in your current placement? They say we grow with change, so what is your next change? Don’t forget to tend to your own learning during these upcoming months—take a chance on a summer workshop or class, either locally, nationally, or online. If you want to learn more about guitar in a teach-the-teacher format, consider joining a Teaching Guitar Workshop. With two learning levels, professional learning credits, a Ukulele Workshop, and hands-on direction, this week can level up your work.

Students are preparing for what comes next, anticipating the momentum to the next grade, next school, or next step in life. We also start to plan our next design, next program, next step in teaching.

As always, I support your “next.” Go make it GREAT!

-Caryn Volk