Popular new after-school program needing guitars

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN JENNIFER PROFFITT
A unique opportunity is emerging in the after-school program at Hillsboro Elementary School. Mike Moran, school counselor, has started giving guitar lessons to students from third grade on up.



The only problem: Moran needs more guitars.



“I have about 24 kids taking lessons right now,” said Moran, “and I’m looking for about eight more guitars. “There are so many guitars just in closets. I have had some donated, and we’ll take guitars that need small repairs.”



Moran has after-school grant money available, but it is used to pay the high school students who help with the lessons.



He said while the guitar is a big part of the music America listens to, not many people teach it.



“My hope and dream is that my high school kids or my elementary kids, when they get to high school, they will be able to come back and teach for me,” Moran said.



He hopes to hire more kids to expand his program, but he can’t give lessons to kids who don’t have guitars.



Moran listed several reasons why he chose guitars.



“I play the guitar,” he said. “The nice thing about the guitar, in our society, guitar is just the instrument.



“For me, I want these kids to feel a sense of accomplishment. When kids go in to play the guitar for their class, it’s a big deal.”



Moran said the latest research shows teaching children music at an early age will help develop their analytical thinking skills.

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