Unlike the great Jimmy Stewart in the 1939 Frank Capra classic film, I went to Washington as an advocate instead of a senator.
Including myself, more than 30 NAMM Members took time away from their businesses and day-to-day schedules May 10-13 to travel to Washington D.C. and engage lawmakers in discussions about funding music and arts programs in public schools as part of NAMM’s annual Member “Fly-In.” It was truly an experience of a lifetime.
Our mission was simple; insure that Music and the Arts continue to be part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. While the legislation is often known as “No Child Left Behind,” NCLB was actually the name that Congress gave to the reauthorized and amended ESEA in 2002. The ESEA is supposed to be reauthorized every five years; yes, Congress is three years late.
Activities kicked off on Monday with a reception honoring former MENC Executive Director John Mahlmann in the shadow of the U.S. Capitol Building which included special guests including “Sesame Street’s” Bob McGrath, “Funky Winkerbean” cartoon creator Tom Batiuk and representatives from GAMA, VH1 Save the Music Foundation, Music for All and MENC.
On Tuesday, the group underwent an entire day of training and briefings. Much of the events were streamed worldwide on namm.org, which encouraged questions from viewers via e-mail and Twitter. Later that day, the delegation took a trip to the Department of Education offices to take part in a press event featuring U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan outside of the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus.
“Let’s face it—it is a fight,” Education Secretary Arne Duncan (l) with former Secretary Richard Riley discussing keeping music and the arts in our schools.
“I’d like to thank all the students, teachers and NAMM for your passion in this area,” said Duncan. “We’re trying to put a lot of money around giving kids a well-rounded education—not just high school, but our 5, 6 and 7 year-olds too. I wish it wasn’t a fight, but let’s face it—it is a fight. This is about giving these kids a chance to develop their skills, their abilities and their self-esteem. Together, we have to win this and win it for every single child in this country.”Wednesday the delegates held more than 80 meetings on the Hill culminating in a special reception in the Capitol Building put on by NAMM, VH1 Save the Music Foundation and dosomething.org. The crowded roomful of NAMM delegates and Washington insiders listened to passionate remarks from GRAMMY-nominated singer Taylor Dayne and Journey keyboardist/songwriter Jonathan Cain about why music education matters to them.
Grant escorts special guest Taylor Dayne through the halls of the Capitol
“Miss Kyzowski, Mr. Dagan, Miss Edwards. 30 years later I can still remember their names because these people were three of the most influential people in my life,” said Dayne. “They were my music teachers and they helped me find my own voice. My music teachers believed in me more than I believed in myself and music class was my safe place.”
“Music was my escape and my salvation,” Journey keyboardist/songwriter Jonathan Cain
“In 1958, I went to a school that burned to the ground and 100 kids died. My way out of it was music,” shared Cain. “My father bought me an accordion after the fire and it became my best friend. And that’s what we have to remember when decisions are made to cut music classes out of schools.”On Thursday, the delegates held their last few Congressional meetings and re-grouped for a final feedback session. When it was all over, each of us left Washington with a deeper understanding of these issues, positive energy, new friendships and a renewed passion shared by our industry to ensure every child has the opportunity to experience the powerful, proven benefits of music education.
For more information about the importance of music education, visit…
www.nammfoundation.org/music-research
Or just get your child started in lessons.
Scott Robertson contributed to this blog.