Guitar JAMing In Medicine Hat

Music filled the air at the Medicine Hat Corps as students from the Guitar JAM program showed off their new and improved guitar playing skills for a crowd of over 300 people. The students ranged in age from grade schoolers to seniors but in all of them you could see their excitement to perform, their determined focus while playing and their smiles upon hearing the applause. Some even showed off their vocal skills as well.

“Music is a gift, it brings people together, it inspires us,” says Major Murray Jaster, Corps Officer. “Our goal is to make music accessible to everyone in our community regardless of age, economics or culture.”

Guitar JAM (Jesus And Me) has been running since 2012. Each program session offers nine weeks of guitar lessons for just $90. The students are divided into beginner, basic, intermediate and advanced groups that meet for two hours each Saturday morning. All of the instructors are musicians themselves who volunteer their time for the program.

“We make it work, no matter what,” continues Major Jaster. “If someone can’t afford to pay the fee, we figure it out. If someone doesn’t have a guitar, we lend them one.”

Each year, Major Jaster also invites a special guest to the program concert to perform with his own band Risen from the Ashes. This year the evening was capped off with a performance by Tommy Cash, brother of the legendary Johnny Cash, who performed a selection of his original songs and tribute songs.

“We have so much fun with Guitar JAM,” concludes Major Jaster. “It is so great to see someone light up when they master a new chord or see a child come out of their shell through music.”