History

Founded in Fall 2001, the Austin Classical Guitar Society’s Educational Outreach Program provides expert guitar instruction at McCallum High School at no cost to the students. Funding for the program is provided by the MFS Foundation, the Applied Materials Foundation, the D’Addario Foundation for the Performing Arts, the City of Austin and the Texas State Commission on the Arts. The program currently serves over forty students through private lessons and ensemble direction.

Weekly private lessons, which are provided to low-income students, serve to communicate the highest possible standard of musical achievement in a friendly and supportive atmosphere. Ensemble direction, which is inclusive of all guitar students regardless of need, teaches cooperation, listening, sight-reading and other musicianship skills. Students in the program perform for and receive comments from a jury two times per semester, which helps them prepare for a final public performance at the end of each semester.

The powerful impact that private music instruction can have upon the lives of young people is the key philosophy of this unique program. The guidance, friendship and high standards that experienced teachers can offer budding musicians is invaluable to their development not just as performers, but also as well-rounded individuals. The discipline of classical lessons, ensemble playing and student performances has the potential to transform students’ expectations of themselves and open new vistas of achievement. Students also have the opportunity to attend performances sponsored by the ACGS International Concert Series and Community Outreach Series, which provides a forum for bringing students, their families and the arts community together.

The private lesson aspect of this program is designed for low-income students only, who must not be current guitar students of another area teacher. ACGS requires a signed statement from parents certifying that prospective candidates meet these criteria. Participation in the Educational Outreach Program is an opportunity that we seek to offer to all students who show both dedication to learning guitar and financial need. However, the number of students that we may teach each semester is limited by the amount of funding we receive.

For more information about the Austin Classical Guitar Society and its programs please call Executive Director Matthew Hinsley at (512) 420-0542.

“To have the ability and passion to share music and the arts with others is a great opportunity. The Educational Outreach Program affords young students a chance to work with accomplished masterful young musicians in a supportive and educational setting at no cost. It has been an honor for me as a teacher and performer to be involved with this program.”

Adam Holzman