Georgia Pick & Bow
Appreciating Regional Roots: Georgia Pick & Bow celebrates the culture of Appalachia, teaching students the history behind the music. Photo credit: Georgia Pick & Bow
The Georgia Pick & Bow Traditional Music Program does more than just teach music to mountain children.
Note by twangy note, the Dahlonega program celebrates the culture of Appalachia, a region long stigmatized in the media.
“We try to instill appreciation for their roots,” says Amanda Barton, the curriculum director. “They learn the stories and rich history behind the music as it has been handed down from generation to generation, and that gives them a sense of regional pride as well as self-confidence.”
Founded 18 years ago, the nonprofit provides lessons for kids from third to 12th grade in guitar, fiddle, banjo, mandolin and ukulele. Within a few weeks, students are plinking out standards such as Shortnin’ Bread, You Are My Sunshine and Boil Them Cabbage Down.
They receive group lessons and learn how to jam with each other in a band. So if students stick with the program, they have the potential to become virtuosos by their high school graduation. “A lot of our students continue to study and pursue music in college and beyond in their careers, and some of the alumni come back to teach,” she says.
In fact, Dahlonega is such a music town that it does not lack for crackerjack instructors. Kyle Jarrard is an award-winning banjo picker who patiently coaxes a high-lonesome sound from tiny hands. “The kids learn so much, and in short amounts of time,” he says. “It’s more than just music – it’s heritage.”
Adds Barton, “It also boosts their overall academic performance because studying music rewrites the mapping in your brain for the better.” 
