The ASCAP Foundation Fresh Air Fund Summer Guitar Project Expands with help from the Gibson Foundation

Campers at the Fresh Air Fund practice on their new Gibson "Spirit" guitars

Summer 2006 marked the eighth year of the collaborative partnership between The ASCAP Foundation and The Fresh Air Fund, a non-profit organization which operates five camps in Fishkill, New York. Through The ASCAP Foundation Fresh Air Fund Summer Guitar Project over 350 inner-city children ages 9-14 received guitar lessons at the camps. This year, as a result of a generous donation of 30 "Spirit" Gibson guitars from the Gibson Foundation, the project was expanded to reach more students than ever before. For many campers this is their first opportunity to work with a music teacher and to learn to play an instrument.

The ASCAP Foundation Fresh Air Fund Summer Guitar Project is operated by The ASCAP Foundation which has provided music education to hundreds of Fresh Air Fund campers from New York City since the collaboration began in 1999. We are grateful to our donors who help make this program possible. We also thank this year's instructors: Helen Avakian, Jeff Entin, Stacy Labriola and Tim Shipman for their time and dedication.