& News From Our Division Chairpeople &
President-Elect
William McDevitt
856-794-6800
billnjmea@aol.com
Random Thoughts
GE hires a lot of engineers. We want young people who can do more than add up a string of numbers and write a coherent sentence.
They must be able to solve problems, communicate ideas and be sensitive to the world around them.
Participation in the arts is one of the best ways to develop these abilities.
Clifford V. Smith, President of the General Electric Foundation
Advocacy is an ongoing issue in our profession. While we all know the value of our programs, we have to constantly convince others of
our worth. We have human resources in parents and past participants, and yet we constantly have to stand before the public and trumpet
our students’ successes and the necessity for continued support. With the amount of hats that we already wear, shouldn’t somebody be doing
this for us?
I did a Google search for “music advocacy” and came up with about 1.3 million hits. I was truly amazed at the amount of information
that is out there and readily available for our use. From research findings to quotations from famous and important people to materials ready
for print and talking points for public address – it’s out there. All that we need to do is use it – and soon.
We know that trends go in cycles and education history repeats itself every decade. If you look at the economy it’s easy to see how we’re
going to have to sell ourselves again in the near future. We’re heading for the time where, once again, extra questions get placed on the ballot
during school budget time. Inevitably the Arts will be part of that question. I’m confident that this happens because school boards know that
we have a large parent following and they would never let programs be cut. But, like the boy who cried wolf…
What can we do before it gets to that point? We can become proactive early. Don’t burden yourself by trying to enlist help at the last
minute. The worst time to justify your program is at the last minute. Start working on the background this summer. Plan out the year so you
have materials ready in September and more materials ready for every time that you meet with parents or have a public performance. Below
are some web resources that will help you:
http://www.childrensmusicworkshop.com/advocacy - great collection of video clips from people such as Senator Mike Huckabee, and John
Mahlman discussing the benefits of music education.
http://www.supportmusic.com - lots of downloadable print material for almost any type of program that you need to support at every level.
http://www.schoolmusicmatters.com - searchable peer submitted entries and downloadable facts and quotations.
http://www.menc.org/resources/view/music-education-advocacy-central - public policy and legislative info.
http://www.ted.com - search for Ken Robinson. There are videos of him discussing the need for creativity in education.
In addition to these sites, there are many resources available from your music dealer and instrument manufacturers and publishers.
I have my stump speech ready. I’ve been using it for years. My first time was before my local city council, after they cut extra-curricular
programs from the budget. I have it down to a science now. I never know if the audience has heard me when they leave. Think of how much
they’ll remember it if they hear it the entire year!
continued on page 8
TEMPO 4 MAY 2009
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