SAN DIEGO MUSIC FOUNDATION IN THE SCHOOLS
The San Diego Music Foundation has a long and proud history of sharing the value and joy of music with people throughout San Diego County. The Guitars for Schools program was developed in 1990, in partnership with Taylor Guitars, to introduce the guitar to music curricula in San Diego County schools, both as a way to augment existing programs and to offset the loss of arts instruction due to budget cuts. The guitar’s familiarity and popularity among young people makes it an excellent tool for getting them interested in music, and in the performing arts in general. Throughout the life of the program, over 80,000 K-12 students in more than 123 schools from San Ysidro to San Onofre. In 2014, a partnership was established with Deering Banjos, creating a Banjos for Schools program.
WHAT IS THE GUITARS FOR SCHOOLS PROGRAM?
Guitars for Schools is a program developed by the San Diego Music Foundation and Taylor Guitars, to introduce the guitar to music curricula in San Diego County schools, both as a way to augment existing programs and to offset the loss of arts instruction due to budget cuts. The guitar’s familiarity and popularity among young people makes it an excellent tool for getting them interested in music, and in the performing arts in general.
CLICK HERE for an updated list of participating San Diego County Schools.
HOW DOES THE PROGRAM WORK?
Subject to advance approval and available budget, the San Diego Music Foundation will provide Taylor Guitars (Baby, Big Baby or SolidBody Electric) to San Diego-area elementary, middle or high schools for use in day-class or after-school music programs. The guitars must be securely stored at the school, and students may not take them home. Schools are responsible for keeping the guitars in good condition and will be required to pay for repairs/replacement to guitars or cases.
All donated guitars remain the property of the San Diego Music Foundation, and must be returned if the guitar program is cancelled or inactive for an extended period of time. Each instrument comes with its own padded “gig bag” or hard case, which affords protection from moisture and shock. Regular maintenance on guitars will be done at scheduled intervals and there will be no charge to the school. However, any costs due to damages from negligence and improper care of guitars or cases will be the schools responsibility.
If you are a participating school, you can request regular maintenance or repairs by emailing us here. Photographs of damages must be submitted to us and we will make a final determination of whether or not damages will be covered by the foundation or the school. If the school chooses to replace a lost or stolen guitar, we will provide a replacement at the lowest-possible cost. All schools are also responsible for completing a short annual survey.
HOW CAN MY SCHOOL PARTICIPATE?
San Diego area teachers and administrators are encouraged to send a letter of request, on school or District letterhead, informing us of the number of guitars needed and outlining the plans for their use. We also must know the name of the instructor who will be responsible for the instruments. Both the instructor and principal of the school should sign the letter of request. We will consider and respond to all letters in a timely manner.
Please send your letter of request to:
San Diego Music Foundation
Attn: Guitars for Schools
4876 Mt. Royal Place
San Diego, CA 92117