Designate a day each year for "Guitars Not Guns" day music festival.
Designate a day each year for "Guitars Not Guns Day" music festival. GnG is a non profit children's music charity providing guitars and lessons to foster care and at-risk youth in the city. The students have an anthem song they play and sing called "Set Me Free". If we create a day to celebrate their achievements, encourage other youth to join, have food and concert can bond all race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, ward or neighborhood through music. www.gngnca.org
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Donald Peterson commented
Fantastic Fantastic Fantastic. I wish there was a program like this where I grew up. I ended up in the street and then prison. I changed my life with God and the bible, and music at church. I am delighted to see that people in the city are working with the children who need it most. No child left behind. God bless this program!
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David Spartan commented
I live in Ward #1. I vote in all elections. I vote for this as well as some of the other suggestions/ideas. Does the Mayor's Office actually read this? Based on what has been proven so far, I am not sure about that.
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Jennifer commented
I play guitar and I want to help on this charity. Does the website have information on how to volunteer?
Jenn L- whole foods nw dc 20009 -
Felton Twaek commented
I have worked with Gregg Hammond with my own personal guitar lessons at his studio. He is always wearing a Guitars Not Guns hat and shirt and so I asked about this program. Very inspirational efforts of the volunteer staff. I support the program, the mission, and I recommend that Mayor's administration help this little non profit with the vision they have. Thank you.
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sushupta commented
Dear Mayor Gray,
Guitars Not Guns is a wonderful program for children in DC. We should support this program because it is working to reduce juvenile crime, one of DC's biggest problems.
Let's celebrate music and our city's children with Guitars Not Guns Day! -
L. Ford commented
Where can I find a classroom for my kids? Nice idea for a music day!
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laurie pinson commented
GREGG AND HEH ARE AMAZING I GREW UP WITH GREGG IN THE KEYS AND HE IS A ONE IN A MILLION GUY
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David Trellesing commented
I teach with GnG in DC and here is a testimonial written about the program we were involved with
Sent: Monday, November 29, 2010 2:47 PMSubject: Guitars not Guns Program Statement
The Guitars not Guns Program was introduced to students at Rock Creek Academy last year as an avenue for inner city, urban students to explore options to the proliferation of violence among youth in Washington , DC . Rock Creek Academy is a therapeutic day school for students with learning and emotional disabilities. When told about the program, initially, I was hesitant to embrace it because my thinking at the time was that our students probably would not be receptive because they would not be learning ‘gangsta rap’ or “hip-hop.” After exploring the inner landscapes of the Guitars not Guns Program, I agreed to move forward and introduce it to our students. By all means, it is probably one of the best decisions that I have made as Principal of the high school program at Rock Creek Academy .
Our student participants are eager and enthusiastic about their weekly adventure. Other students are trying to get into the program. I have had the pleasure of observing our participants. Their faces tell the story. Expressions of joy and accomplishment permeate the room. Often students will let you know emphatically that the program is lots of fun. As an educational administrator, the essence of the educational process should be fun. This unique and wonderful program has allowed our special needs population an opportunity to learn how to play the guitar while they are engaged in concept building and the acquiring of a variety of learning skills. The Guitars not Guns Program is a tremendous asset to Rock Creek Academy .
B. Bellamy, Ed.D.
High School Principal
Rock Creek Academy
Challenging Minds and Building Character -
Tanger Flemming commented
I give support to all the great ideas for non profits music programs. this one looks really good. I play guitar and the drums. Love music. Love people helping people. I love it!
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Roland J Hill Sr. commented
My daughter's friends told her about this Guitars before Guns after school program and we are going to start her next week. I was happy to see that someone has mentioned it here on this DC page for the city.
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James Reeves commented
I like any music program for children. Give our young people some instruments and let them play those instead of being in the street and fighting each others
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Croften Davis commented
AMEN! This is God's work. We all should sing praises to the people who hear the music and write it and sing it. God Bless you all
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Sadie commented
Dear office of Mayor DC~ please do see that our children receive music programs like this. I would love to attend a day of music in DC. Your staff should be working on programs like this, to involve music for our children. Thank you Sadie Washington- SE DC
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Jabril Gentry commented
I took classes with GNGNCA starting a year ago. I passed the test. It was easy and then I got to keep my guitar and the carry sack and the book and they gave me an award and I got to have my picture in the paper. I can play 5 songs and I know how to play 25 guitar chords. My brother started this year and I am showing him how to play at the classes and at home. I really like this class at guitars not guns.
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Laurie commented
I would like to see Mayor Gray support this youth incentive. Music is important. DC used to be a music city. We can make that happen again, with the mayor's help.
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Iris G. commented
Guitars Not Guns makes a huge impact in the lives of underprivileged children here in DC by providing them a safe activity after school and introducing music into their lives - a wonderful gift, indeed.
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kevin strous commented
giving something like music to the kids out there is important. good to see this getting started. K.S.- Petworth
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DC Guitar Lessons commented
My goal is to inspire our city to celebrate the accomplishments of the GnG children's music charity students and all volunteer staff. GnG DC has been providing free lessons and loaning guitars to foster care and at risk youth since 2009. When each student can pass a closed book test of level one, they have earned the guitar and get to keep it. As a city we should have a day of music, food, fun and unity with our youth. We should play their anthem song "Set Me Free" Anyone can support the program through donations and by downloading the song. Free instructional video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTPr_mdrH98
http://www.amazon.com/Set-Me-
Free/dp/B0044VP5E2/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top -
Beverly Smith commented
Guitars not Guns sounds like a great program to help children in DC. I'd love to hear Set Me Free!
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AL D commented
I met Gregg Hammond from guitars not guns at the H street festival and this program had guitars for the kids to play and my neighbors kids were there and played the guitar and learned to play a chords. Very good program