There is a new club in town! Portage Northern High School is proud offer Acoustic Jam Sessions with students monthly after school in the PN Library. These sessions are given in partnership with the Great Lakes Acoustic Music Association.
What is GLAMA? GLAMA started up in 1998 when a few Kalamazoo-area musician friends decided to find a space to meet, share, and play the bluegrass music they loved on acoustic stringed instruments.
From the GLAMA newsletter: "Our all-volunteer board has been hard at work finding new opportunities to bring acoustic music to the Kalamazoo area! Our recent work includes working with the Portage Northern High School library staff to bring instruments into the library for students to check out and explore! Our board members have also been volunteering once a month to host a slow jam just for students at PNHS after school. This is a big step forward in bringing the joy of folk music into a new generation!"
At Portage Northern, we want to provide a continuous experience for our students to explore music and build positive relationships with mentoring adults from our staff and community members. PN Science teacher Colin Killmer is the advisor for this project and several current and former PNHS staff members show up and jam with the students!
We are grateful to have been awarded a grant through the Wisner Family Foundation. With this grant, we were able to purchase many instruments: guitars, mandolins, banjos, and ukuleles. We strive to provide opportunities for all students- to refine their skills, learn a new instrument (hence wanting to purchase materials), and provide a welcoming space.
How can this effort affect students throughout the school day? Seminar students will soon be able to come to the Library to check out an instrument and a conference room to "tinker". We are working towards increasing our maker station in the library and this new addition will jump-start our efforts.
The Acoustic Jam Sessions are held once a month in the Library from 2:50-4pm. All are welcome and we hope to see you there! Remaining dates: 2/18, 3/18, 4/15, and 5/20.
PACKstrong Shout Out to the Wisner Family Foundation! This program would not be possible if it weren't for them, so we are forever grateful!
