Girard Academic Music Program facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Girard Academic Music Program |
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GAMP Main Entrance
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| Address | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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22nd & Ritner Streets
, 19145
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| Coordinates | 39°55′20″N 75°11′00″W / 39.9221°N 75.1832°W | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Type | Public | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Established | 1974 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Founder | Dr. Jack Carr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School district | The School District of Philadelphia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Principal | Jovan Moore | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Grades | 5-12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Campus type | urban | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Color(s) | Kelly Green & Blue | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mascot | The Pioneers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Girard Academic Music Program (GAMP) is a special public school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It's a "magnet" school, which means students choose to go there because of its unique focus. GAMP teaches students from fifth grade all the way through twelfth grade. What makes GAMP special is that all students are encouraged to study music as a main subject!
Contents
A Look Back: GAMP's Journey
GAMP started in September 1974. It began as a small program inside the Stephen Girard School. It had about 55 students in 4th and 5th grade. There were two academic teachers, one helper, and one music teacher. These first students and teachers were called "pioneers." They helped start the school's success in both academics and music.
GAMP's Homes Over the Years
GAMP has been in a few different places. From 1974 to 1976, it was in the Trinity Church Parish House. In 1976, it moved to a building called the Armory.
Since 1979, GAMP has been located in the old Edgar Allan Poe School building. This building is at 22nd & Ritner Streets in the Girard Estate neighborhood of Philadelphia. A famous architect named Henry deCoursey Richards designed it. It was built between 1913 and 1914. The building is made of brick and limestone. It has a special style called Tudor Revival. It was named after the famous writer Edgar Allan Poe. This historic building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.
GAMP Today
GAMP has grown a lot since it started. It now has about 50 staff members and over 1000 students. These students are in grades 5 through 12. Every student at GAMP is a "music major." This means music is a big part of their learning. GAMP helps almost all its senior students get into college. They also earn millions of dollars in scholarships each year. This shows how successful GAMP has become in Philadelphia.
Music at GAMP
Besides regular school subjects, GAMP students take several music classes every year. They can also choose extra classes or groups to improve their music skills.
Singing Together: Choir
All students at GAMP join a general choir. The choirs are grouped by age: 5th and 6th graders, 7th and 8th graders, and 9th through 12th graders. There is also a special Concert Choir. Students must try out to join this group. The Concert Choir performs more difficult music. They also travel for many performances during the school year.
Concert Choir Performances
The Concert Choir has performed for many important people and events. They have sung for U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. They have also performed for the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team. Other performances include singing for former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell and former Philadelphia Mayors John Street and Michael Nutter. They even sang at the inauguration for Mayor Jim Kenney. The choir has also performed with Grammy Award-winning singer Idina Menzel.
Understanding Music: Music Theory
All GAMP students have three Music Theory classes each week. In these classes, students learn the basic parts of music. They learn to read music by sight and perform rhythms. They also learn to write down music they hear. Students learn about how music is put together and basic piano skills. Older students in 11th and 12th grade can take Advanced Placement Music Theory. This class is like a college-level course.
Playing Instruments: Instrumental Music
The Instrumental Music department has many groups for both middle and high school students. These include the String Orchestra, Concert Band, Jazz Band, and Marching Band. Students who play instruments get weekly group lessons.
Instrumental Performances
GAMP's instrumental groups have performed in many different places. They have played at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. They have also played with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Other performances include the Rittenhouse Square Flower Show and the Warwick Hotel. The Marching Band also takes part in the annual Philadelphia Columbus Day Parade.
Sports and School Spirit
GAMP offers several sports for students. These include cross country, baseball, tennis, basketball, softball, and cheerleading. If students want to play other sports like football, volleyball, or wrestling, they can join teams through a partnership with South Philadelphia High School.
Meet the Mascot: The Pioneer
The GAMP mascot is "The Pioneer." Students chose this name in a contest. The name "Pioneer" was picked because pioneers were brave. They helped build and grow new parts of the country. GAMP is like a pioneer in education. It is special because it teaches every student about music. This makes it unique in the School District of Philadelphia. Just like pioneers helped grow the nation, GAMP helps young minds grow.
