Dealing with music program cuts

Yesterday, MusicTeachersHelper tweeted this question:

With school #budgets being #reduced and schools #closing #music programs, what have your schools done to prevent this?

Using "schools" this way is like talking about what the "government" is or isn't doing. The government isn't some other group out there. It is us. The schools are us--parents, teachers, students, administrators, etc. With budget and program cuts, what are we doing to save music in the schools, and if it can't be saved, what are we doing to step in and fill the needs for those students that won't be getting music at school?

I can't tell you what our "schools" are doing, but I can tell you a little about one teacher that I know and his efforts. As someone who is genuinely concerned about the future of our program (and not just his job) he has gone out of his way to form relationships with other music teachers of all levels in our district. He understands that the sucess of our high school program depends on what happens in elementary and middle school classrooms. He supports them and that helps us.

He works closely with administors both in our building and in the district helping them to understand both the needs and the benefits of a strong music program.

And last, but certainly not least, he brings excellence to the classroom everyday, demonstrating to students and parents how important music is.

So that is what he is doing. What are you doing? What am I doing to make sure music education is available to anyone that wants it?

Last year, the community where one of my friends teaches held a huge fund-raiser to help keep their music program.

Parents and others from the community can let the school board know their feelings about music education.

When we can't save music programs, we can help provide other opportunities for those students. Allegro Choral Academy is expanding to help serve kids in a district where the choir program has been severely reduced. You can help them by donating. Your donation can help
them add programs and keep tuition low. Go to http://allegroca.org/donationinfo.html and donate.

Over the years, I've given private scholarships to a few students that wanted voice lessons but couldn't afford it. It is a way for me to give back and show appreciation for the people that helped me. But each year as we do registrations there are more students that want lessons but can't afford it. If I could, I would teach them all for free, but I am feeling the financial crunch of the times too. So, this is the year. I've talked about it forever and now it is time to do something. Keep checking back for info about my new voice lesson scholarship program. It will be small at first, starting with just a few kids that study with teachers associated with our school. I hope it will grow until any child in our district that wants lessons will be able to afford them. Big dream? Of course. Those are the only ones that count.

P.S. If you want to help with setting up the scholarship program, or if you want to donate, let me know.




-- Posted from my iPhone