Girard Academic Music Program facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Girard Academic Music Program
GAMP Main Entrance
Address
2136 W. Ritner Street Philadelphia , Pennsylvania 19145 United States
Coordinates	39°55′20″N 75°11′00″W / 39.9221°N 75.1832°W / 39.9221; -75.1832
Information
Type	Public
Established	1974
Founder	Jack Carr
School district	The School District of Philadelphia
Principal	Joanne Beaver (interim)
Grades	5-12
Campus type	urban
Color(s)	Kelly Green & Blue
Mascot	The Pioneers
Edgar Allan Poe School U.S. National Register of Historic Places Edgar Allan Poe School, May 2010 Location 2136 Ritner St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Area 1 acre (0.40 ha) Built 1913–1914 Built by Charles McCaul Co. Architect Henry deCoursey Richards Architectural style Tudor Revival, Jacobean MPS Philadelphia Public Schools TR NRHP reference No. 86003318 Added to NRHP December 4, 1986

The Girard Academic Music Program (GAMP) is a special public school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is part of the School District of Philadelphia. GAMP teaches students from fifth grade all the way through twelfth grade. At this school, every student gets to focus on music as a main subject.

History of GAMP

The Girard Academic Music Program started in September 1974. It began as a new program inside the Stephen Girard School. It had about 55 students in fourth and fifth grade. There were two regular teachers, one helper, and one music teacher. These first students and teachers helped make the school a success.

Over the years, GAMP has been in a few different places.

• From 1974 to 1976, it was at the Trinity Church Parish House.
• In 1976, it moved to a building called the Armory.

The Poe School Building

Since 1979, GAMP has been located in the old Edgar Allan Poe School building. This building is in the Girard Estate neighborhood of Philadelphia. It was designed by Henry deCoursey Richards and built between 1913 and 1914.

The building is four stories tall and made of brick and limestone. It has a special style called Tudor Revival. It was named after the famous writer Edgar Allan Poe. The Poe school building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. This means it is an important historical place.

GAMP's Growth and Success

GAMP was one of the first schools to use a "Small Learning Communities" idea. It has grown a lot since it started. Today, GAMP has about 30 staff members and over 600 students from fifth to twelfth grade.

Because all students are "music majors," it helps create a strong program for both academics and music. GAMP is known for its high success rate in getting students into college. Almost all senior students (97-100%) are accepted into colleges. They also earn a lot of money in scholarships each year. GAMP continues to be a respected school in Philadelphia.

Music Studies at GAMP

GAMP Clef Musical Symbol

Besides learning regular school subjects, GAMP students must take several music classes every year. They can also choose extra classes or groups to improve their music skills.

Choir Programs

All students at GAMP sing in a general choir. These choirs are organized by grade levels:

• Fifth and sixth graders sing together.
• Seventh and eighth graders sing together.
• Ninth through twelfth graders sing together.

The Concert Choir is a special group that students must try out for. They perform more difficult music and travel for shows throughout the school year. The Concert Choir has performed for important people and events, including:

• Former United States Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.
• The Philadelphia Phillies baseball team.
• Former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell.
• Former Philadelphia Mayors John Street and Michael Nutter.
• The inauguration for Mayor Jim Kenney.
• The Philadelphia Eagles for Super Bowl LIX.
• Alongside Grammy Award-winning singer Idina Menzel.

Music Theory Classes

Some students have two or three music theory classes each week. In these classes, students learn the basic parts of music. This includes:

• Sight singing: reading and singing music at the same time.
• Rhythm performance: playing or singing different rhythms.
• Dictation: writing down music they hear.
• Written theory: understanding how music is put together.
• Functional piano skills: basic piano playing.

Older students in 11th and 12th grade can take Advanced Placement Music Theory. This is a college-level class.

Instrumental Music Ensembles

The Instrumental Music department has many different groups for middle and high school students. These include:

• String Orchestra
• Concert Band
• Jazz Band
• Swing Band
• Symphonic Band
• Wind Ensemble
• Chamber Orchestra
• Marching Band

Students who play instruments also get weekly group lessons for their specific instrument. These groups have performed at many different places and events, such as:

• The Philadelphia Museum of Art.
• Playing with the Philadelphia Orchestra.
• The Rittenhouse Square Flower Show.
• The Warwick Hotel.
• The Marching Band in the annual Philadelphia Columbus Day Parade.

Sports at GAMP

GAMP offers several sports for students. These include:

• Cross country
• Baseball
• Tennis
• Basketball
• Softball
• Cheerleading

Students can also play other sports like football and volleyball. They do this through a partnership with South Philadelphia High School.

The GAMP mascot is the Pioneer.