Guitars in the Classroom Receives $10,000 & 11 Guitars from The Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation

SAN DIEGO - Jan. 5, 2016 - PRLog -- Guitars in the Classroom (GITC), a nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of education for all students by expanding the role of music in learning, received $10,000 and 11 FeLiX limited edition Little Martin Guitars from The Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation, a private foundation established in 1996 by Christian Frederick Martin IV to serve the charitable interests of the Martin Guitar Company.

“The Martin Guitar Company has been a source of support and guidance for our organization since its earliest days. For sixteen years, GITC teachers have experienced the benefits of Martin's forward thinking and charity and many have the pleasure of learning to play and lead songs for learning on a Little Martin guitar!” said Jessica Baron, GITC Chief Executive Officer. “We enthusiastically thank Chris Martin, Dick Boak and the Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation for helping GITC continue to grow and serve.”

The Foundation supports 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organizations with programs that support Martin Guitar’s engagement with nonprofit music, arts, education and environmental action organizations. The “FeLiX” Little Martin Guitars features Felix The Cat illustrations by artist Don Oriolo, the son of Joe Oriolo who created Felix The Cat. The guitar is a limited edition version of Martin Guitar’s new Little Martin travel size guitar.

“Our purpose is to positively impact the acoustic music community and provide beneficial support to services like Guitars in the Classroom,” said Dick Boak, Director of Museums and Archives, Special Projects at C.F. Martin & Co. “It is because of Guitars in the Classroom’s personal dedication to music education and our longstanding relationship that this specific support is given.”

GITC will use the funds to support and expand programs in Vermont, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New York, North Carolina, West Virginia, Delaware and California.

About Guitars in the Classroom

Guitars in the Classroom (GITC) is a nonprofit dedicated to creating access to musical learning for all students and improving the quality of education by providing ongoing musical training and resources to educators. GITC trains, provides supplies and coaches teachers who wish to lead and integrate hands-on music with lessons in English language arts, math, science, social studies and more. GITC’s work promotes teacher effectiveness, student engagement, collaboration, creativity, communication, critical thinking and academic achievement—essential skills for the 21st century. GITC is currently headquartered in San Diego, Calif. but has programs running in 32 states in the U.S. and Canada. www.guitarsintheclassroom.org