The 2021 Symposium on Music in Schools presented by the Yale School of Music was a free, virtual symposium that took place live on June 23, 2021. On-demand sessions are accessible through July 23.
The symposium explores the importance of developing community music learning ecosystems to ensure an active music life for every child.
"Every student deserves access to an active music life, including school music education taught by a certified music teacher,” said Cindy Marten, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education, during the symposium. “Active music programs are one of the best ways to get children in school and motivated about learning.”
Watch On Demand
Speakers included: Cindy Marten, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education; Chris Murphy, U.S. Senator State of CT; Richard Blumenthal, U.S. Senator State of CT; Tarik Ward Director of Music Programs and Strategic Operations, The ELMA Philanthropies Services (U.S.) Inc.; Jennifer Olson, Executive Director, Think 360 Arts for Learning; Chris Duncombe, Senior Policy Analyst, Education Commission of the States; and more.
Soundbites from the Symposium
“Music and the arts are crucial to a well lived life. Music and the arts more broadly help us create beauty, express ideas, solve problems, and find meaning.” - Peter Salovey, President, Yale University
“While singing and conducting on stage, I feel a sense of belonging and unity that I have also found on the streets in New Haven during peaceful demonstrations in actions of justice.” - Lizamishel Boateng, New Haven Public School Alumni, Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School
“Every district needs to have the arts be a part of the district spending plan. It's not an afterthought. It's not a side thought. It's not something you do once you put the curriculum together. It's got to be infused all the way throughout, and it's got to be part of your budget planning process.” - Cindy Marten, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education
“Being able to put [music] into every school in America, in every after-school activity in America, and every other place we can think of- we've improved the quality of music for everyone. It starts with a base that everybody has music, and that to me, is such an important learning thing.” - Michael Yaffe, Associate Dean, Yale School of Music
“We're not in the business of making good musicians. We're in the business of making good people and good people have a healthy and significant relationship with Music.” - Tarik West, Director, Music Programs and Strategic Operations, The ELMA Philanthropies Services (U.S.) Inc.
“It's not just learning about and hearing what somebody says but hearing and listening deeply. And then responding mindfully in creative ways and not assuming that we have to work within the constraints and limitations that for so long have been our tradition in in music education.” - Carlos Abril, Professor of Music Education and Director of Undergraduate Music Education, Frost School of Music, University of Miami
“Kids don't need us to build their creativity. [They need us to give] them the tools and the resources to achieve the vision that they had about what they wanted to do.” - Jen Olson, Executive Director, Think 360 Arts for Learning
“We have to be very honest with ourselves that we are operating in a racist system that is not designed to serve all of our students and that drives a lot of the choices that we do and don't make. To pretend otherwise is a folly and if we don't recognize, acknowledge and correct a strong obstacle...it's an important one to address.” - Tarik West, Director, Music Programs and Strategic Operations, The ELMA Philanthropies Services (U.S.) Inc.
The Music in Schools Initiative is supported by a gift from the Yale College Class of 1957.