school assemblies, residencies, composition, guitar man visits, teaching, workshops

Assembly Programs & Residencies...

Jim has performed hundreds
of school assemblies across
the USA, and has earned the Muse Machine's Prism Award for his extensive work with that organization in their elementary school program.
Here's one example of Jim's work in schools: For the past several years, Jim, also known
as "The Guitar Man,"
was a guest artist at
Centerville Kindergarten Village, performing assembly programs (photo above), workshops for
individual classes showcasing his guitars and talking about music from
around the world. He presented culminating evening concerts at the school
for students' and their families, where part of the proceeds from CD sales
after the concert supported the school princpal's fund.

For southwestern Ohio performances, phone (937) 435-1858,
or email Jim at jim@mccutcheon.biz.

Outside that area, call the G.G. Greg Agency at (216) 692-1193
or email gggregagy@aol.com.

Guitar Man Does Science Workshops
In addition to a Master of Music degree in Music Education, Jim McCutcheon holds a B.S. in Physics, as well as the amateur radio Extra Class license.
His workshops demonstrating the science of music use his electric guitar and are geared for all grades, and are especially applicable to state standards. Students learn the relationships between several branches of science including electricity, magnetism, anatomy and computers. Students get to plug in wires, see shapes that are related to the sounds of their voices and instrument, adjust the equipment and join hands and make a giant human radio antenna! For more info, click here!

Guitar Man Does Ukulele Workshops

Designed to meet state music standards as well as others chosen by your teaching staff, Jim's multi-day ukulele residencies are custom made to
teach ukulele basics to students of all ages, songwriting and performance playing chords and singing. Jim brings enough ukuleles for each class and their teacher(s), so that each person has the ukulele for the entire class time.
Song topics are chosen by your staff, for any subject area(s) in which you would like enhanced learning to occur. After some basic skill learning on
the ukes and vocally, songs are created by Jim and the children during
the workshops, and performed at a culminating recital for your school.

Even the teachers can learn to play along if they want to! Jim makes it easy!

Given enough contact time, recording the songs is also a possibility. Jim
takes the children through the recording and editing process, and leaves
a completed CD of original music with the school.

       "The Guitar Man" entertained students of all ages with various degrees of disabilities...He was genuine in his enthusiasm for music, and his love and respect of children. It is obvious that he is an educator at heart.
         If you want to treat your school to something very special and uplifting, The Guitar Man will be a pleasant surprise for both your students and teaching staff."
                                                               Mark Kieffer, Superintendent (2009)
                                                                       Hardin County Board of
                                                                       Developmental Disabilities

      "When scheduling shows for our Artist and Lecture Series, I have to ask myself many questions. Can a one-man show really work in a 750-seat auditorium filled with elementary school students? Yes, IF the one man is Jim McCutcheon. Last Friday's show worked because Jim engaged and taught the audience. They were active participants in age-appropriate dialogue, singing, playing and movement.
     It is easy for me to sense the "success" of our shows by observing the students as they leave. These kids left happy. Thanks, Jim."
                                        Susan Joyce, Fantastic Free Friday coordinator,
                                        Miami University Middletown

      "Mr. McCutcheon was one of the only performers who was able to maintain the preschoolers focus for the entire length of his show. At the same time, he incorporates all curious onlookers into his performance, catering to each personality. Overall, a true talent, and an excellent role model for children. I highly recommend his services."
                                         Diane Kunas, Director, Partners in Performance,
                                         Washington Township Recreation Center, Ohio

"Jim brings enthusiasm and love for music that makes it contagious to all around him. The integration of music, science and math brought a fuller sense of the world around us."
Spring Hill Elementary School

      "Your delivery, information about musical instruments and program content are crowd pleasers. It was a special evening for children and adults. Thanks to you, musical magic was enjoyed in the Children's Room of the Woodbourne Library.
                                                                      Beverly Gilbert, Youth Services
                                                                      Woodbourne Library

"But the best part was playing the ukulele and singing our song to the whole school!" Aaron (Grade 4, North Star ES, 2009)

"I loved seeing all of your guitars. I would love to learn to play guitar. I love guitars now" - Jesse (Grade 2, North Star ES, 2009)

Thank you for the wonderful performance - I had fun learning how music and science are related and dependent on each other. Your science concepts were right on target and age-appropriate. Thank you for conveying that performing music is fun while at the same time uses many skills. I will highly recommend your performance to all my colleagues.
Joan Tullis, E.D. Smith School
Oakwood, OH

All afternoon I had to set aside at least 15 minutes per class to answer questions from students about you, guitars and music. It was so cool to see the kids so excited!
Robert M., music teacher, Kitty Hawk Elementary School (2010)

Year after year, the Guitar Man stays at the top of our list for artists to visit our school...A top-rate entertainment and educational experience! We love you!
Kelly Dearing, Simon Kenton School (2010)

Artist-in-Residence
At right, Jim rehearses the 8th grade guitar classes at Esther Dennis Middle School in Dayton, OH in spring, '03. He was commissioned annually to compose music for these classes 2001-4. Workshops there continued through 2006. General music teacher Vicki Ullery received a Jennings Foundation grant for Jim's first residency, and received continuing support from her principal.

The Performance! At right. Jim rehearses the debut of his "Getting Serious" at Wright State University Concert Hall, April, 2003. Performing are members from the 8th grade guitar classes at Esther Dennis Middle School. They were guests on the WSU music department's student recital, and took annual tours of the campus.
The Results! 8th grade student comments: "I learned that classical guitar can be just as fun as the others and that you love playing more and more as you play." "I learned...that you can do anything if you practice." "Don't give up! Don't give in! Do something with your life."	"I learned to appreciate classical guitar. Up to this class the only songs I've ever played were rock songs." "I liked it when the whole piece came together and sounded the way it was supposed to." The thing I liked best about the class was the feeling that I was learning to do something fun!"

For southwestern Ohio residencies, phone (937) 435-1858,
or email Jim at jim@mccutcheon.biz.

Outside that area, call the G.G. Greg Agency at (216) 692-1193
or email gggregagy@aol.com.

Jim's CDs are available at www.store.mccutcheon.biz.