iListenWI
• Perhaps there are parents with small businesses you can support when possible, and vice versa. When my choir needed t-shirts we had them printed by a parent who had a busi- ness, and consequently were able to receive a better price for them while supporting that business.
• When I decided to begin a guitar program at the middle school even though we had NO guitars, I contact- ed every business in the phone book asking for funds. Most businesses did not contribute, but money came in every day for months. (Every day I would eagerly go to my mailbox to see what had come in. My admin- istration was awestruck.) Within a semester I had a guitar for every stu- dent in my eighth grade class, cases and books.
• Consider Donors Choose and other organizations for help with raising funds for a particular need, especially if you are an elementary teacher who is prevented from student-type fund- raising activities (as some schools prescribe).
• If you, like most teachers, are pressed for time, explore the possibilities of finding a parent who may have expe- rience with grant writing to help you secure funds.
• Know where to obtain resources or materials you might need at free or reduced prices. Share resources with others to economize and benefit each other. Barter, exchange, trade and return items borrowed in a timely manner and in better condition than when taken!
• Utilize opportunities to showcase your students’ work or performance in the community. Visibility will keep your program ‘in mind’ when people are considering grants or other arts support programs. This is harder for the elementary teacher. However, consider Christmas caroling at a local
Wisconsin School Musician 25
store, or civic organization. Volunteer to have a group perform at a school board meeting.
• Offer your time to volunteer for non-arts organizations as well as arts-related activities. (Ushering, selling tickets for an event, parking attendant for a summer event, serving on the board of a group, volunteer in the community, etc.) Establish a well-rounded life and acquaintances! Not only will it help you grow as a person, it will widen your sphere of experience and people!
• Perhaps it should go without saying, however, it’s important to maintain integrity in all professional and per- sonal interactions with colleagues and business partners. If you have offered assistance, time, materials, or any- thing else to others, follow through! Be generous and always use more kindness than necessary in life and in work!
• Kathy Hock says, “Beihoff Music fund – my school received this for the MUSIC ACE 2 software program years ago; and just a few years ago we were able to use the $500 for ukuleles and books.”
• Some schools have a special music trip for students every three years. It may be to see an orchestra perform or an opera or ballet at a special theater.
The busing might be paid for by a parent group, grant or through fund- raising.
• Music K-8 Magazine is a good re- source for music to augment your curriculum. They also have a lot of music for recorder unit enhancement. I have a soft spot for this company because they are Wisconsin based.
• There are links to professional or- chestras that have special sections for kids. Here are a few we recommend:
http://www.nyphilkids.org/ composer-gallery.html
www.mydso.com/dso-kids/ http://www.sfskids.org http://www.musick8kids.com
Some other websites we recommend:
• Noteflight: This is cloud-based no- tation software that can be used in composition units. After the melodies are finished, they can be exported as midi files and imported into Garage- band so that the students can pick a style of music/loops to create an ac- companiment. There is a subscription price for this product.
• The Music Interactive Website: This site has many software applica- tions that can be downloaded onto
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