A prerequisite for a school’s participation in Guitars for Schools is an on-staff committed and talented guitar teacher. One such is Lothar Bukojemski. He has been a teacher with the South Australian Instrumental Music Service since late 1974 and currently teaches at 7 Adelaide metropolitan schools: 3 primary and 4 high schools. “In total, I teach 148 students every week. This includes various guitar ensembles both during and after school hours. I also teach some electric bass classes at one of the high schools. It is important to me that the students have a positive experience at every lesson where they are encouraged to interact with each other through music as well as socially. The material they perform ranges from early music to classical to present day tunes which I arrange to suit their varying technical and musical skills. Naturally, they tend to favor the more modern pieces but are really quite eager to learn music from a variety of genres as long as ‘it sounds good’ and does not take too long to learn. As far as them having their own instrument is concerned - what can I say?! An absolute treasure which will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Many of these kids come from families with limited means where the purchase of an instrument is way down, if at all, on the shopping list. “I think it’s become (Chelsea's) life. Honestly. She's grown in confidence so much. She's also made huge progress with her playing since she got the guitar. Before she had her own, she was only able to play here at school – that’s half an hour once a week. Now, she plays constantly at home. She has five sisters and I’ve spoken to them all and said ‘I hope you’re not stealing Chelsea’s guitar?’ and their reply is: "how could we? She never, ever puts it down!” Kylie Vallela, music teacher, Thomastown Secondary College , VIC “Ms Marina Novelli, our nominated instrumental teacher to supervise this program, has been teaching the guitar and contemporary bands/ensembles at Preston Girls for 17 years. She is also a Year 12 VCE examiner for VCAA, the state examination authority. Marina says that the single most frustrating thing about teaching guitar at Preston Girls is the number of students who do not own their own guitars, and the fact that our school has very limited instruments for hire.” Rodney Waterman, Music Director, Preston Girls Secondary College, VIC  “I have so many excited children, they were jumping up and down. The students that I have recommended have shown a commitment to their music and the program in the school. The  opportunity to own their own instrument has, till now, been only a dream! Thankyou.” Music director, Joan Jones, Melton Secondary College, VIC “We have decided on two acoustic and three electric guitars for an all-girl group. We have five Middle School girls who have already shown musical dedication and promise.  Our girls need every encouragement as guitar classes tend to be dominated by boys.” Assistant Principal, Pam Noonan, Cheltenham Secondary College, VIC