At ACG, we believe in the transformative power of music. We have witnessed firsthand how music can transcend boundaries, touch hearts, and make a positive impact in people’s lives. Over the past decade, we have been privileged to create and sustain Texas’ first and only daily, for-credit performing arts course for young people incarcerated in the Juvenile Justice system.
Learn more about ACG Education and our Juvenile Justice programs here.
Since 2012, ACG has offered Texas’ only Guitar Ensemble Concert and Sight Reading Contest. Structured after similar events for band and orchestra that promote teaching community and quality, over a thousand students and teachers gather and perform concerts they have worked hard on throughout the year and test their sight reading abilities. We now offer this event in six locations across the state to serve our many partner programs. Every year we are so amazed by the talent, dedication, and drive that comes into this competition from teachers and students alike. And we are so grateful for the hard work and clear success that comes out of our programs.
Since about the same time, we have also been privileged to create and sustain Texas’ first and only daily, for-credit performing arts course for young people incarcerated in the Juvenile Justice system. We currently provide daily instruction in Travis, Williamson, and Dallas Counties. However, in all of Texas history, students in detention have never had the opportunity to participate in events like Concert & Sight Reading Contest.
Until now.
This week we had the privilege of receiving a wonderful reflection from the guitar director at Dallas County Juvenile Detention Center, Noe Garcia, on his students’ first experience at our annual Concert & Sight Reading event.
“This milestone represents a range of meaningful achievements for these students. Across the three facilities where I teach, the student population is quite diverse. Many of them have had inconsistent school experiences and have not had access to music opportunities that others might take for granted.
For some, this was their first time collaborating on a recording. Others had never received a trophy, certificate, or any formal recognition for their efforts. I even had students who had never experienced something as simple as a “pizza party” or been invited to one.
All three of my groups received a 1 (highest rating). I was very excited for them, as many of my students shared that they had never previously received trophies or medals. It is especially meaningful to be able to provide that experience for them.
During the process, I noticed that the students were particularly enthusiastic when I brought in the microphones to record our submissions. They felt some pressure to produce a version that was strong enough but at the same time, many of them expressed that it felt like being in a “studio,” making it a new and memorable experience for a large number of students.
After the recording and receiving their scores, the students were extremely enthusiastic about earning the trophy.
With permission from administration and staff, I provided pizza and snacks for all of my groups to celebrate afterwards. We listened to our recordings together and discussed the feedback provided by the judges.
Overall, this experience was both rewarding and essential for their personal and educational development. They enjoyed being part of something that involved other schools, especially the opportunity to be included alongside public institutions.”
ACG’s Juvenile Justice programming provides music education and mentoring to youth in juvenile justice settings, including residential detention centers and treatment facilities. Through group guitar classes led by ACG Teaching Artists, these programs foster a sense of personal success and accomplishment while providing a positive outlet for personal expression.
This is a rare opportunity for students in these facilities and we feel so proud and grateful to see such success in Noe’s program.