Now more than ever, it’s important to let our representatives in Washington know that every child in America deserves a complete, well-rounded education that includes music and the arts.
Grant speaking at the 2010 Music Education Fly-in
Next month, I will again join a team of my peers from the Support Music Coalition (and a surprise guest) in Washington, DC, to meet with our congressmen and senators to discuss the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, also known as ESEA. The goal of this “fly-in” is to insure that the arts continue to be defined as a core subject in our schools.ESEA is the legislation that defines the federal government’s role in primary and secondary education and was due to be reauthorized four years ago. Although President Obama has promised that ESEA will be reauthorized this year, each time the bill comes before Congress there is a risk that music and the arts will be cut.Fortunately, the case for music education becomes stronger every year. Recent research has confirmed that music programs in our schools help students achieve in their academic subjects, develop critical thinking, creative problem solving and communication skills and keeps students engaged.
Joined by VH1 President Tom Calderone and Save The Music's Laurie Lock
Last year, I was energized by the outpouring of support I received from parents all over the country as I posted real-time updates about our meetings on Facebook. This year, I would like to bring your voice to Washington, too.Let me know why you feel music education is important and I’ll share your comments with our legislators. Post your comments below or at my Facebook page.
Be heard and help ensure a more music future for our children.
Grant – first of all, I wanted to let you know that I’m thoroughly enjoying the new piano. It’s really settling into its new space and the sweet sound is just what I was hoping for. Regarding music in the schools, I have been dismayed over the last 10 years to learn how budget cuts have negatively impacted on the music and art programs offered to children. As someone who relied on music to get through the hard times in life, I don’t know what I would have done had I not had band and choir in school. My parents had six children and no money for private lessons, so what music training we got was from the schools. In high school, I suffered from severe depression that went undiagnosed and untreated (we had no health insurance), so I can honestly say that music saved my life. Music allowed me to express the feelings and emotions that I couldn’t talk to anyone about.My father gave all of his kids an appreciation for music, so when I play I feel closer to him. He passed away 25 years ago and there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about him and remember his music. Thanks for giving me a chance to comment about the importance of music education in the schools. Mary
The healthy development of a child entails not only his/her physical development but also cognitive, emotional and spiritual developments. In other words, the development of the child as a WHOLE is critical to have caring, productive and successful future generations. When one those aspects of development is missing, the growth of the child as a whole is impaired and that has lifelong implications. The arts, including music education, is one aspect of growth that taps on parts of the brain that other disciplines do not tap on. Restricting growth in one area alters the entire growth process and that outcome is not repairable! The arts education must continue if we care about the future of this planet which we will be entrusting our children to tend to.