EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
SupportMusic.com is a public service initiative that impacts resolve and support for music education in local communities around the United States and abroad. This advocacy effort now unites nearly national, regional and international organizations comprised of parents and community leaders seeking to improve access and opportunity in music and arts learning. Tens of thousands of concerned citizens visit the website every month and use its resources to keep music education strong in their schools and communities.
THE SUPPORTMUSIC COALITION is building a proactive and unified approach to federal, state and local level advocacy for music education as a core academic subject in schools. The coalition is united in its support of a complete education that includes music and arts instruction for all children.
- Currently, 250 affiliate organizations participate in the coalition to discuss and act on issues of mutual concern.
- Affiliates gather regularly via monthly conference call to discuss local, state and federal challenges in promoting, sustaining and defending school music programs, offering each other strategies for success. Coalition affiliates relay upcoming advocacy efforts and follow up together on opportunities where collective advocacy is needed. Each call introduces new affiliates and offers all groups time to promote particular programs of interest.
- This group considers itself a 'learning community', recognizing that effective advocacy requires targeted strategies and solutions designed for long-term success and that by sharing local advocacy efforts, the success of the mission expands.
- The coalition invites individuals and all interested arts, education, civic engagement and youth-serving organizations to become affiliates, and encourages affiliate organizations to actively participate via task force efforts, dissemination of pertinent information to constituents and members, and by adding tools and materials to www.supportmusic.com that advance the advocacy mission and messages.
To join the coalition fill out the response form and return to supportmusic@namm.org.
SUPPORTMUSIC.COM Local citizens - parents, grandparents, and teachers - have enormous influence that they must use in effecting access to music and arts education in schools. Proactive, community-based interest and support for music education in schools is vital to sustain and grow quality programs and support highly qualified teachers. SupportMusic.com helps concerned citizens and fledgling advocates 'build their case' for their local programs by providing successful approaches and relevant research that substantiate the importance of music and the arts as part of learning.
An important feature of the website is CounterPoint, a monthly 'blog' commentary authored by music education advocacy expert Dr. John Benham and other key columnists. Each month, this column relates insight and information geared to successful citizen involvement in district budget decisions.
Other site features include monthly Affiliate Spotlights, tools and information from the SupportMusic Community Action Kit, and a downloadable brochure, "Keep Music Education Strong', featuring relevant arguments in both English and Spanish for music education's vital role in a quality education. Additional 'how to' materials are added to the site as developed.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
The SupportMusic Community Action Kit is a free resource for local music education advocates.
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If an education that includes music and arts learning must be funded along with other core curriculum subjects, then citizens at the grassroots, community level can impact funding of education. SupportMusic.com also provides tools and information that will guide and inspire parents, new and experienced teachers, and committed citizens to take action.
The music education coalition and SupportMusic.com are led by NAMM, the International Music Products Association and MENC, the National Association for Music Education.
For Further Information Contact: Mary L. Luehrsen, Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations, NAMM, maryl@namm.org; 914-933-0516; or Charese Wolfe, Program Coordinator, Public Affairs and Government Relations for NAMM, the International Music Products Association, charesew@namm.org; 760-438-8007 ext 225.
