Welcome to
This Forum provides resources & information about current research in music education and legislation in the United States regarding music education, as well as links to community cultural arts organizations.
FEATURES (scroll down to view):
1. Want Better Test Scores?
Take Band. (newspaper article)
2. Music Advocacy Powerpoint to let Your School's Music Teacher show to the
PTA
3. Voices and Venues
4. Arts Advocacy Letters for Legislators/Teacher Unions
#1. Want
better test scores? Take Band.
By Leslie
Scheuler (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
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#2.
Music Advocacy Powerpoint to let Your School's
Music Teacher show to the PTA. This can be edited by anyone for the purpose of
promoting healthy music programs.
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#3-
Voices and Venues
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4. Arts Advocacy Letters for
Legislators/Teacher Unions
Dear Legislator _______________________:
I am writing this letter asking you to support public education by finding funding to avoid cuts to arts programs in all public Florida schools immediately. Your failure to adequately fund education will result in the loss of CRITICAL ARTS PROGRAMS for Florida’s children, and this is absolutely unacceptable. Prior to this year’s proposed cuts, Florida already ranked near the bottom in the U.S. in per-child education spending, and this year Broward County is being forced to lay off nearly half its arts instructors due to budget reductions.
I am strongly convinced that arts programs MATTER to our kids and to our society for the following reasons:
1) Kids LOVE the arts. Music, art, PE, and other “specials” classes make kids happy and provide a necessary break from pencil & paper routines. Happy kids enjoy school and learn more, remember more, have less stress, and perform better on standardized tests and overall.
2) A recent research study proves that the longer students participate in arts education, NO MATTER THEIR SOCIOECONOMIC, ETHNIC, RELIGIOUS, OR OTHER BACKGROUND, the LESS LIKELY THEY ARE TO DROP OUT OF SCHOOL and the HIGHER THEIR OVERALL STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT as measured through standardized tests, GPA, and participation in extracurricular activities. We MUST HAVE STRONG ARTS PROGRAMS IN ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS in order to address the needs of all students.
3) The arts are a natural high- they address the hopelessness, desperation, and loneliness responsible for most criminal or harmful behaviors- such as suicide, gang activity, theft, bullying, physical or mental abuse- by teaching kids how to express their emotions appropriately.
4) The performing arts (music, dance) teach kids how to work together in order to achieve a common goal- beautiful, excellent performance. Striving to reach such a goal requires dedication, perseverance, inspiration, diligence, commitment, self-sacrifice, concern and tolerance for others’ situations and outlooks, and guidance from an expert in the field. These are the qualities businesses look for in their employees, and that spouses want in their partners.
5) Music especially helps kids put all they have learned in other subjects together into a meaningful whole picture. Music teaches all subjects and makes them MATTER. How? Here are student responses to why music helps them learn more, faster:
I
learned my ABCs, poetry, & patterns; My comprehension is better because I can
read faster; I have sustained concentration to a written symbol; fluency; speed;
& the ability to decode multiple lines of symbols simultaneously (ie.: piano and
orchestra music).
Music
follows a frame or form that I can recognize; music has syntax, complex symbols,
and patterns of rhythm, melody, and harmony.
Music
has taught me fractions via note names & values; beat groupings via meters;
measuring note lengths and song lengths via beats and measures; algebraic
thinking via adding note values; chords, intervals, counterpoint, form, and
sequencing.
I
know that the bigger the instrument, the lower the pitch; the smaller the
instrument, the higher its pitch; sounds have wave lengths; the material from
which an instrument is made affects its sound; the shape of an instrument
affects its pitch and range.
Music
has taught me Geography- where was the song written? History- what was life like
when this song was written? How did people look? How did they travel? How did
they get food and clothing? What were their homes like?
Every
culture has indigenous music in its own language. I respect and even admire
people and customs from other cultures. I can sing in many languages, which
opens my mind to new experiences and points of view.
By
being in Chorus, I learn cooperation, compassion, teamwork, a sense of belonging
& pride; how to wait my turn, patience, kindness, & tolerance.
Music
improves my memory- I can name all 50 states in alphabetical order thanks to “50
Nifty United States”. I learn to practice until it’s right; to start slow and
increase speed; & to analyze and classify groups of concepts. I can remember
virtually anything if it is set to music.
Participating
in music performance teaches perseverance, commitment, how to strive for
excellence; dedication; citizenship, scholarship; leadership; & musicianship.
Singing
& playing instruments helps me show joy & sadness; dancing to & listening to
music make me happy; writing music to share with others helps me vent emotions.
Improvisation frees my emotions without the need for words.
No
one else in the history of the world has a voice exactly like mine, and no one
else ever will. I am unique and special, irreplaceable.
I
can improvise rhythmic and melodic answers using body percussion, drums,
recorders, & voice; I can create unique movements to go with music. I can solve
problems in real time on my feet while making music.
Music
cheers me up. When I am sad, I make music. Music affirms that I have something
to offer the world. I matter. When I feel like I matter, I function productively
in the world and make a positive impact on others. What more does society want
or need?
6). The arts teach kids how to “think outside the box.” Kids who have no imagination are typically not involved in the arts.
7) The arts teach time management and efficient and imaginative use of resources. They are a great way to Go Green!
There are many other valid reasons to support arts education. Pretty much anything you want to teach anyone can be best done through the arts. The arts have the potential to curb crime and reduce mental illness &, drug abuse. Why not “fix the problem” by funding arts education instead of “finding a solution”- spending money on jails? More people would be better served.
Government is doing its citizens a disservice by eliminating arts programs. Cutting arts programs is a giant step backward, especially in an age where “critical thinking” and “application and analysis” are most missing in public schools. The arts effectively teach these by their very nature.
I implore you to research every option before eliminating any more funding for education. Even better, I ask you to restore funding levels for education to at least their 2008-2009 levels. Children who grow up without the arts don’t have any idea what they are missing. I care about Florida’s children, our future voters. Do you?
Sincerely,
Dear Broward Teachers Union:
I am writing to ask you to fairly consider the furlough and 4-day week options for Broward’s teachers next year. Here’s why.
My child is very involved in the music program at Plantation Park Elementary School. Since 1991 their director Nicole Greggs has brought that group to award-winning performance levels on her own time for no pay. My child has directly benefitted from the choral program not only academically, but also as a person. (elaborate: Before Chorus, my child was shy, Chorus taught them self-confidence. Or, my child who I thought had no musical ability, has now passed the level 2 Musicianship test, which is the equivalent of 10th grade music theory. Etc.)
Mrs. Greggs’ dedication has earned several very high honors, including 2006 Finalist/Runner-Up for Broward County Teacher of the Year, National Board Certification, and 2008 Broward County Arts Teacher of the Year. However, next year, due to budget reductions, Mrs. Greggs’ music position has been reduced to less than full time. Since she has 3 children ages 1, 7, and 11, splitting between 2 schools is not feasible for her, nor is part-time pay. She may be forced to become a general classroom teacher in order to feed her family, thereby eliminating the top-quality choral program my child benefits from, and literally CRUSHING the spirit of a very caring educator.
This situation is more than unfair and unfortunate. It is unjust and WRONG. Outstanding arts teachers like Mrs. Greggs exist all over this county and they must be treated fairly. Surplussing all reduced positions and filling them by random seniority rather than moving as few teachers as possible will cause undue stress and emotional devastation to students, parents, administrators, and arts teachers alike. There MUST be a better way to weather impending budget reductions than to eliminate arts programs for Broward’s children. Are Broward’s teachers out for their own benefit, or are they for what is best for children? In this case, I feel so far BTU has demonstrated the former by not even considering the furlough and 4-day school week options, which could avoid the loss of arts programs for our kids and save hundreds of arts teachers’ jobs.
You may wonder WHY the arts are so important?
1) Kids LOVE the arts. Music, art, PE, and other “specials” classes make kids happy and provide a necessary break from pencil & paper routines. Happy kids enjoy school and learn more, remember more, have less stress, and perform better on standardized tests and overall.
2) A recent research study proves that the longer students participate in arts education, NO MATTER THEIR SOCIOECONOMIC, ETHNIC, RELIGIOUS, OR OTHER BACKGROUND, the LESS LIKELY THEY ARE TO DROP OUT OF SCHOOL and the HIGHER THEIR OVERALL STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT as measured through standardized tests, GPA, and participation in extracurricular activities. We MUST HAVE STRONG ARTS PROGRAMS IN ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS in order to address the needs of all students.
3) The arts are a natural high- they address the hopelessness, desperation, and loneliness responsible for most criminal or harmful behaviors- such as suicide, gang activity, theft, bullying, physical or mental abuse- by teaching kids how to express their emotions appropriately.
4) The performing arts (music, dance) teach kids how to work together in order to achieve a common goal- beautiful, excellent performance. Striving to reach such a goal requires dedication, perseverance, inspiration, diligence, commitment, self-sacrifice, concern and tolerance for others’ situations and outlooks, and guidance from an expert in the field. These are the qualities businesses look for in their employees, and that spouses want in their partners.
5) Music especially helps kids put all they have learned in other subjects together into a meaningful whole picture. Music teaches all subjects and makes them MATTER. How? Here are student responses to why music helps them learn more, faster:
I
learned my ABCs, poetry, & patterns; My comprehension is better because I can
read faster; I have sustained concentration to a written symbol; fluency; speed;
& the ability to decode multiple lines of symbols simultaneously (ie.: piano and
orchestra music).
Music
follows a frame or form that I can recognize; music has syntax, complex symbols,
and patterns of rhythm, melody, and harmony.
Music
has taught me fractions via note names & values; beat groupings via meters;
measuring note lengths and song lengths via beats and measures; algebraic
thinking via adding note values; chords, intervals, counterpoint, form, and
sequencing.
I
know that the bigger the instrument, the lower the pitch; the smaller the
instrument, the higher its pitch; sounds have wave lengths; the material from
which an instrument is made affects its sound; the shape of an instrument
affects its pitch and range.
Music
has taught me Geography- where was the song written? History- what was life like
when this song was written? How did people look? How did they travel? How did
they get food and clothing? What were their homes like?
Every
culture has indigenous music in its own language. I respect and even admire
people and customs from other cultures. I can sing in many languages, which
opens my mind to new experiences and points of view.
By
being in Chorus, I learn cooperation, compassion, teamwork, a sense of belonging
& pride; how to wait my turn, patience, kindness, & tolerance.
Music
improves my memory- I can name all 50 states in alphabetical order thanks to “50
Nifty United States”. I learn to practice until it’s right; to start slow and
increase speed; & to analyze and classify groups of concepts. I can remember
virtually anything if it is set to music.
Participating
in music performance teaches perseverance, commitment, how to strive for
excellence; dedication; citizenship, scholarship; leadership; & musicianship.
Singing
& playing instruments helps me show joy & sadness; dancing to & listening to
music make me happy; writing music to share with others helps me vent emotions.
Improvisation frees my emotions without the need for words.
No
one else in the history of the world has a voice exactly like mine, and no one
else ever will. I am unique and special, irreplaceable.
I
can improvise rhythmic and melodic answers using body percussion, drums,
recorders, & voice; I can create unique movements to go with music. I can solve
problems in real time on my feet while making music.
Music
cheers me up. When I am sad, I make music. Music affirms that I have something
to offer the world. I matter. When I feel like I matter, I function productively
in the world and make a positive impact on others. What more does society want
or need?
6). The arts teach kids how to “think outside the box.” Kids who have no imagination are typically not involved in the arts.
7) The arts teach time management and efficient and imaginative use of resources. They are a great way to Go Green!
Please do what is best for kids in a bad situation. Take one for the team, and vote YES to furlough or a 4-day week. I know there are also many other places to cut, but these two options will save jobs NOW, whereas lesser compromises may be worked out too late.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Whether by voice or by instrument,
musical performance requires physical control
and precision of a high order.
A child working at math can sit back mentally for minutes
before facing difficulty.
The same child, singing or playing an instrument must obey
exactly and artistically the demands of
the music, and at the same time,
think ahead to prepare himself to deal
equally faithfully with what is coming.
In no other subject is a child called
upon to make 6 or 7 decisions per second,
and act on them continuously for such
stretches of time.
This combination of constant, continuous
vigilance and forethought
with ever-changing physical responses
constitutes an educational experience of unique value.
Moreover, live musical performance lends
itself to the pursuit of excellence,
to which there is no nobler aim of education.
