July 1, 2011
The NAMM Foundation’s 12th annual Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) survey acknowledged 179 communities in 32 states – including 172 school districts and, for the first time, seven individual schools – for their support and commitment to music education in schools.
The detailed BCME survey covers funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program and other relevant components of district or school music education programs. In interviews with six of the 2011 designees, each talked about how earning distinction as “A Best Community for Music Education” has bolstered spirits and strengthened efforts to protect music education in their communities.
• BCME Designation Adds Credence to Budget & Staffing Requests, Attracts Political Support, Strengthens Curriculum
Despite real challenges and budgetary concerns about education in the current economic climate, many communities have sustained and even expanded music education programs for children. A three-time BCME winner, Lynn Public Schools (MA), has 27 schools in its system yet six of its elementary schools lacked music education. Joe Picano, supervisor of fine arts, used the award as a keystone of his presentation to his administration about the benefits of a complete education that includes music. “Six new music teachers were hired and now every Lynn school offers music education to children,” he says. And, since student musicians perform at every school event, and many community and local business organization functions, “our town fathers always include the music department when they give grants for equipment and scholarships.” Picano reserves a section of seats for elected officials, offers them stage time to say a few words, and films the concerts. “The kids are in the limelight and people now expect it,” he says. “Life is tough on many of the students in our inner city schools, and performing on stage gives them a chance to shine.” And, as a result of all the successful teaching and performances, the Lynn music department has the support of the Superintendent, the Mayor and the School Committee.
Picano uses the BCME award to help strengthen his district’s curriculum through partnerships with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and similar organizations – and he does it by taking a step ‘outside the box office.’ “I ask them for teacher workshops and help with curriculum design – and then I ask for the free tickets to performances. It reinforces and verifies what we’re doing with our curriculum.”
• BCME Helps Schools Save Music Education Programs, Offers Self-Assessment, Honors Teachers
Scott Barnes, manager of visual and performing arts at Edmonds School District in Washington, says the BCME award (which they’ve received five times) was “one of the key pieces that helped us save our 5th grade band and orchestra program.” Three years ago, the program was on the chopping block and the BCME designation helped bring the community together. Though cuts were made, the program core was maintained. “Our community is very supportive of the arts. BCME plaques hang on the wall outside our school board offices and members see them going into meetings. Our Senator designated a statewide music day for districts, and now, even people who may not know all the details about the value of music education, really understand the community support for it. Parents and kids can claim we are recognized as excellent. The award signifies that we made it, we’ve done something not everyone else does.”
“The realities of the application itself have shown that our program has remained remarkably stable. It’s a self-assessment process,” says David Branson, music specialist, Washoe County School District, the second largest district in NV. Receiving the award for four years running has helped Washoe schools maintain that support. “Our teachers are recognized for their hard work, have a sense of pride, and it has built their feelings of ownership. And, in the general community, those who otherwise may not have paid much attention to music education, send me unsolicited emails to congratulate us and offer support. It’s really helped with partnership development, fundraising and being able to offer additional music and arts experiences to students. People tend to want to be a part of something that’s recognized as good. Because we got national recognition, our administration was excited and celebrated with us. They added the BCME logo to the top banner on our district website and constantly talked about it. From an advocacy standpoint, it’s increasingly difficult to consider cutting programs when they’re nationally recognized as important for kids and their educational development.”
• BCME Becomes Part of a Community’s DNA
“It has done wonders for us. It’s a blessing and gives a stamp of credibility,” says Wayne Splettstoeszer, music teacher, Torrington Public Schools, the largest district in Litchfield County, CT. Now honored for the 11th year in a row, Splettstoeszer says that “if budget cuts are even hinted at in K-12 music programs, community members and non-music teachers say, ‘but we’re one of the best in America’ – and they say it before we even get a chance to say it! People move here because of our music education programs.” With the BCME designation placed in recruitment materials to entice new job applicants and potential administrators, it’s clear the arts are very important. Many local businesses and the Chamber of Commerce have placed the BCME logo on their company websites. “The whole community hangs its hat on the award. This year, we had seven banners made with the BCME logo, one for each of our schools, and a new parade banner for the marching band too.”
• Two First-Time BCME Winners ….. Recognizing Students and “A Little District That Could”
And, two first-year BCME designees, the Ferndale Public Schools (MI) and the Brooklyn Center Junior Senior High School (MN), show that it’s not always large urban or suburban music education programs that shine. Chris Porter, director of bands at Brooklyn Center, found out about the BCME via Twitter feeds. Despite a small budget, over the past nine years, Brooklyn Center’s band program has grown from 17 to about 185 students. “The students have worked really hard, and they were really excited to get the award; it was good for them to be recognized,” she says. “99% of the kids in our program do not own their own instruments or the books we use; they’re all provided from community support by the Rotary and other business associations. But, now that we have 185 kids in band, it was time to push to the next level. As band director, I didn’t know much about school revenue, but finding that information out was really valuable.”
Elon Jamison, performing and fine arts coordinator at Ferndale, had thought about completing the BCME Survey for a few years prior to 2011. The process of gathering enrollment and other data revealed a relatively high percentage of the student body (60%) qualified for Title One funds. “It was gratifying to get the award, to be recognized for what we’ve been doing. But, to the students, winning was like, ‘yes, it’s how we do business here – making music and taking it seriously’.”
“There are only 3,000 students in our district and 900 of them are at the high school,” Jamison adds. “Financially, a lot of our families are in kind of rough shape for a variety of reasons: we’re just north of Detroit, but we’ve done a lot with not a lot of resources. I tell people that this is ‘a little district that could’.”
The 2011 BCME survey was conducted between January 14 – March 14, 2011 in collaboration with The Institute for Educational Research and Public Service; several advisory organizations joined the NAMM Foundation in conducting the annual survey. A copy of the survey may be downloaded for review, along with additional information and a complete list of winners at http://www.nammfoundation.org/research/best-communities-music-education-united-states
-- Debra Bresnan is a communications consultant for SupportMusic.com. She produces web content, newsletters and other written materials for businesses, non-profit organizations and individuals. Contact: dbresnan@hvc.rr.com
