How Can I Support Music Programs in Schools

How Can I Support Music Programs in Schools?

We’ve enjoyed celebrating Music In Our Schools Month, this March. The month may be coming to an end, but Music in our schools does not become any less important throughout the other 11 months of the year. If you’re like me, you care about music and you want children to be given the opportunity to learn to play musical instruments. However, at times it is difficult to know how you can make a difference, and make sure children in our community are being given musical opportunities. Here is a list of ways you can show your support for local music programs.

“You can attend school board meetings to let board members know that music in the schools is important.”

By doing this, you go straight to the heads of your local schools, to let them know that you care about music programs. If enough people show up at school board meetings and fight for this, they cannot be ignored.

“You can write editorials or letters to the editor of the local newspaper about the importance of music.”

If you write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper, you can let the community at large know that you think music education is important. The more people who realize how music education is often a neglected aspect of young students‘ education, the better. By writing editorials in your local newspaper, you can let the community know, and spur others into action.

“You can do something to support a school music teacher. Maybe give a gift or at least tell them how much you appreciate all that they do.”

If you know any school music teachers, let them know how much you support them. If you have a child who is in a school music program, give their music teacher a gift, a
note, or even a kind word. In some schools, music educators feel alone in the fight for more music programs and funding. While Math or English teachers can feel secure in the knowledge that their program will always be considered essential, music teachers are often taken for granted. Let them know you support their work, and let them know what you are doing to support music programs in their school.

“You can attend a music performance at a school.”

Many schools will be having spring concerts in April and May.

Another way you can make your voice heard is by contacting your representatives at the state and federal levels.

There are many different ways you can advocate for music programs. Pick one or two and go from there. Another simple way you can support music programs in our local schools is by letting your friends and family know what you are doing, and why you are doing it. Word of mouth is a great way to spread the word and raise support. Find a friend to accompany you to a local school’s spring concert or board meeting. Together, we can raise so much more support than any of us can alone.