Guitars at School launches a fresh chapter in Alicante, bringing together ten young people from IES Gran Vía to receive complimentary guitar lessons from the renowned Joe Ott. The program sits within the school’s broader activity schedule, with Alicante Classical Guitar and the Spanish Association for the Advancement of Guitar Art coordinating the effort, alongside the Rotary Club Alicante Costa Blanca. This year the Alhambra Guitar Foundation joined the collaboration by donating ten guitars to be used by the students. Citation: Alhambra Guitar Foundation
Admission into the program is handled by the leadership team at IES Gran Vía, a diverse educational center in the northern part of Alicante where students from 37 different nationalities live and learn together. The deputy director, María José Cano, plays a pivotal role in guiding the project. Ten young people will receive one hour of free Spanish guitar instruction each week from Joe Ott, a respected Spanish-Cuban guitarist who has dedicated himself to social projects around the world. The first lesson took place on a Monday. Citation: IES Gran Vía administration
Participation in exchange for commitment is straightforward: students agree to maintain good behavior and attend classes regularly. Those who complete the program get to keep the guitar they used during lessons. Along the way, project coordinators organize two charity concerts featuring talented students and instructors to raise funds for future initiatives. Citation: Guitars at School program
IES Gran Vía students will receive free guitar lessons from Joe Ott
This seventh edition of Guitars at School began in 2016 with the aim of boosting self-confidence and academic performance among youths at risk of social exclusion through music. Since its inception, more than seventy participants have taken part, and the program has shown strong results in reducing absenteeism while elevating self-esteem, social integration, and overall school achievement. Citation: Guitars at School project history
Ott’s guitar work is described as having wide-reaching benefits for everyone involved. The activity stimulates the senses, sharpens focus, and enhances intellectual development. It also helps the young participants socialize, stay motivated, pursue better grades, and strive toward personal improvement. Citation: Ott interview notes
Several alumni of earlier editions continue to engage with the program, including a student now pursuing studies at the José Tomás Conservatory of Music in Alicante on a scholarship funded by the program’s supporters. Citation: Alumni outcomes
Alhambra Guitar Foundation, established in June of its founding year, aims to promote the Spanish guitar on an international stage. Over more than fifty years, the foundation has supported the guitar as a rich artistic and cultural form, backing performers and composers from around the world. It has also organized two international guitar competitions, CIGA and CIGA Junior, supported festivals such as the Pepe Romero Guitar Festival in Malaga, and coordinated instrument lending for concerts. In addition, it collaborates with various institutions and supports Guitar at School and other programs for people at risk of social exclusion. Citation: Alhambra Guitar Foundation mission
Beyond its core activities, the foundation has fostered partnerships and initiatives that elevate the guitar as a universal language of expression. The Rotary Club of Alicante joined forces with the foundation to donate ten high-quality guitars to the students, reinforcing the shared commitment to music education and community development. Citation: Rotary Club Alicante collaboration