Education
Providing opportunities to learn, play, and explore music for all ages.
Check Out the Music expands access to music across Grand County by removing barriers to learning, playing, and experiencing musical instruments. Created by John Catt, the program was built on a simple belief: everyone should have the opportunity to explore music, regardless of age, experience, or access.
Through partnerships with schools and libraries, the Grand County Blues Society brings instruments and music education directly into the community, inviting people not just to listen to music but to participate in it.
NEED INFO — current-year school visits, better classroom photos, and whether the cigar box guitar workshop is still offered. Video embed from the draft WordPress page still needs the official YouTube URL.
Education program
GCBS has been a pioneer in blues music education, giving local students the chance to experience, learn, and perform the blues. From interactive programs to student-led bluesicals and festival performances, kids have been fully immersed in the music.
Beyond live performances and workshops, GCBS supports schools by supplying musical instruments for classroom use so students have hands-on ways to explore music.
Thanks to donations and grant partnerships, schools never pay for visiting artists, instruments, or activities. GCBS funds it all. No school has ever had to pay for a visiting artist or classroom activity.
In-school workshop
Our friend JP Soars, master of the cigar box guitar, came from Florida to help students build and play their own instruments. It remains one of the most memorable programs we have done. The draft site kept a video of John Catt talking about the work — we will embed it here once the file is in the media folder.
NEED INFO — YouTube URL from the current WordPress Check Out the Music page, and a still from that video.
Library program
In 2006, GCBS partnered with the Grand County Library District to get instruments into the hands of people who wanted to play. That partnership launched Check Out the Music.
Residents borrow instruments with a library card. The collection has included acoustic, electric, and bass guitars with amplifiers, keyboards, youth-size guitars, and drumsticks with drum pads — all donated by GCBS.
Local musicians donated time for free guitar and keyboard lessons in library spaces. Instructional DVDs and manuals went out with the instruments.
Access to music does more than teach an instrument. For children, hands-on music supports brain development, focus, memory, coordination, and confidence. Playing also gives a healthy outlet for emotion and stress.
Shared musical experiences help students listen to one another and work together. For families and lifelong learners, school and library access removes the price of admission. By putting instruments into the community, Check Out the Music helps curiosity and belonging last after the case is closed.
“I believe that we are experiencing a pivotal time in history — music can play an integral part in saving children’s lives during this time of so much fear and uncertainty… If you do not have music stores in your local community, it would be worth making a road trip to the closest ones! I also suggest visiting your local library and check out books about music history!” — Joel Harper, from the previous Check Out the Music page