CounterPoint | The NAMM Foundation

03.28.2013

Spring Advocacy Season is NOW! NAMM Members Reach Parents and Students With “Why Learn to Play Music?”

The SupportMusic Coalition’s advocacy materials were developed to strengthen local advocacy efforts. You can use them at hometown events, at your school board meeting and when you visit elected officials. They are especially effective in reaching out to parents who may not fully grasp how important music education is for their children.

03.01.2013

How Technology Can Assist in Advocating an Elementary Music Program

When I first began teaching elementary general music, I realized quickly that there was a misconception that an elementary music program consisted of playing “fun” musical instruments, singing songs, dancing around the music room, and preparing for concerts.

02.06.2013

FOCUS ON ADVOCACY: How “Save Upper Darby Arts” (SUDA) Gave Voice to a Pennsylvania Community’s Passion for the Arts

On April 10, 2012, at the monthly Upper Darby School District (UDSD) board meeting, the school district’s assistant superintendent proposed an Academic Realignment Plan for the 2012-13 school year.

01.07.2013

The Past, Present & Future of Music Education Advocacy: Happy 10th Anniversary SupportMusic Coalition!

This month, the SupportMusic Coalition begins a yearlong celebration of its 10th Anniversary. Steve West and John Mahlmann spoke with Debra Bresnan about why NAMM and NAfME joined forces, what the Coalition has accomplished with over 300 affiliate organizations, and what’s next.

12.05.2012

Get The Recognition Your School Music Program Deserves

Don't Miss Out on Being Recognized as a Best Community for Music Education!

Teachers, parents, school administrators and board members are invited to complete the 2013 survey online now through Friday, January 18, 2013. Many districts reported that making the "Best Communities" list has had a positive effect on their ability to sustain and advance music education programs. In 2012, 176 communities were recognized, including 166 school districts and 10 schools.

10.31.2012

FOCUS ON ADVOCACY: Music (and arts) for All in the 21st Century

“So what does this have to do about the 21st Century workforce? For me, it’s about the 21st Century ‘Life Force’.”

-- Eric L. Martin, Esq., is the author of this CounterPoint article. He supports infusing the Arts into STEM to create STEAM, and interviewed several leading music education advocates about the sustained, positive impacts of early education in music and the arts.

10.02.2012

FOCUS ON ADVOCACY: “Citizen Advocates” Talk About How to Get – and Keep – Elected Officials’ Support for Music Education Programs

It’s Election Season, and now is the time to find out where candidates and incumbent elected officials stand on music education in our schools. Four community advocates from around the United States offer their advice and perspectives in this recent conversation with Debra Bresnan.

09.04.2012

NAMM's Annual SchoolJam USA Competition Changes Lives for Teen 'Battle of the Bands' Winners: An Interview with Jazz Avenue

NAMM’s SchoolJam USA is a one-of-a-kind national teen battle of the bands competition. It provides teen musicians with a national stage to showcase their talents, compete for fantastic prizes and support their local school music education programs. Unlike other music competitions, SchoolJam USA works to unite local schools, teens, educators and communities in the quest to get young people making music and to promote the importance of school music programs.

08.01.2012

FOCUS ON ADVOCACY: One Man’s Vision and ‘It Takes A Village’ Focus Create Statewide Model for Music Education Program Rebuild in West Virginia

When the late Lyell Clay learned that his state, West Virginia, was ranked 47th in the nation for music and arts education, he decided to do something about it. In 1996, he contacted Mike Bates, Institutional Solutions Group, Keyboard Division, Yamaha Corporation of America, and enlisted his help to turn things around. Clay wanted to purchase equipment for West Virginia state colleges and universities to enhance their music education programs; The Clay Foundation contributed $125,000 to initiate the program.

06.29.2012

FOCUS ON STUDENTS: Award-Winning Student Essayists Tell School Board Members Why We Need Music Education in Our Schools

Each year, School Band & Orchestra Magazine conducts a nationwide essay contest for 4th through 12th grade students. The 2012 Essay Contest asked students to write 250 words or less on:

“Dear School Board Member – why we need music education in our schools…”