JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2008 • Vol. 21, Issue 1 NEWSLETTER Gary Green Larry J. Livingston Shelly Berg Patti Austin Phil Woods Honor Band of Honor Orchestra Jazz Band of with the Jazz with the Jazz America of America America Band of America Band of America Barrage! at the Summer Symposium, along with the U.S. Army Field Band, Yamaha Young Performing Artists, DCI Summer Music Games, page 10 2008 BOA Championships Schedule of Fall Programs, pages 24, 26, 28 Summer Symposium Directors Academy curriculum, Middle School/Young Teachers Track, Student Programs of Music for All Divisions, page 6 – PLUS: PULL OUT POSTER! National Presenting Sponsor Music for All National Festival, Music for All, Inc. NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION 39 W. Jackson Place, Suite 150 U.S. POSTAGE PAID Indianapolis, IN 46225 PERMIT NO. 2145 Research and Advocacy News, INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46206 Supporting music for all, the MFA Network ...and much more! Talk Isn’t Cheap The 2008 Presidential Campaign, Music Education and YOU! By Bob Morrison e are now well into the 2008 up on No Child Left Behind. Th ey would be scoring well in science and math – 29th in campaign for President of the still labeled, potentially, as a failure. the world – to unlock those minds in sci- WUnited States. Many of you “If we can change those assessments ence in math…I would have a major federal who regularly read this column know that then once again we will be emphasiz- program of art in the schools…music, danc- Music for All works tirelessly to elevate ing arts, music, literature, social studies, ing, sculpture and the arts. music and arts education as an issue on foreign languages, the things that provide a “Arts education is not a silver bullet, but this largest of stages that will infl uence well-rounded education for our children.” it is a lighted bridge. Students who engage the direction of our nation. Th ese eff orts, in the arts are more likely to get involved in combined with the eff orts of many of our John Edwards community and charitable work. Th ese stu- national partners have paid off …hand- “I think what we have to recognize is that dents also perform better in the classroom. somely. we are all diff erent and all students are dif- I will substantially increase investment in In the 2000 and 2004 Presidential ferent. Some students are extraordinarily arts-in-education programs. I will pay for Primaries and General election there was academically gifted. Some students are ath- musical instruments and music teachers never any mention about the importance letically gifted. Th ose who are athletically in under-served communities around the of music and arts education. Not one. gifted – because athletics; football, basket- country. Th e federal government will off er Maybe you could fi nd a sentence or two in ball, baseball, etc., are revenue generating extra matching funds to states that draw a position paper. But there was never any activities at the college and university level up their own comprehensive art programs.” mention on the campaign trail, debates, or – they tend to get what they need without interview. much concern. But, if you’re talking about Hillary Clinton For 2008…the issue is everywhere. And the arts…if you’re talking about music… if “I understand that strong arts programs are this is a welcome and important change… you’re talking about painting, any of those part of a well-rounded education that helps because what is said during the Presiden- areas, there are a lot of young people in enrich the next generation of America’s tial campaign does matter. I’ll tell you why America that that’s where their talent is. leaders and develop their abilities to think in a moment. First, let’s take a look at a Th at’s where their interest is. Th at’s where creatively and independently. small sampling of what is being said: their passion is. “Since 2002, I have spoken out about “Here’s the way I think we should think the need to reform No Child Left Behind. Barack Obama about this and America needs to hear this. However, in implementing NCLB, school “One of the fi rst things I would do is to If you think back on past civilizations, civi- systems are diminishing access to the arts. modify No Child Left Behind (NCLB). Part lizations from hundreds or even thousands Th e federal commitment to arts education of the reason that you’re seeing pressure of years ago what is it you remember about must be strengthened so that the arts are on arts programs and music programs in them? You remember their contribution implemented as a part of the core cur- the school is that No Child Left Behind is to the arts. Th at’s what you remember. riculum of our nation’s schools and are an structured where the success of the school You want to talk about the lasting impres- integral part of every child’s development.” is measured entirely in terms by what sion that the world will have of the United happens on those high stakes standardized States of America during our lifetime? It Mike Huckabee tests. will be whatever we did to contribute to the “I want to provide our children what I call “Increasingly you’re seeing more re- arts…and we need to be contributing to the the ‘Weapons of Mass Instruction’ – art sources funneled into remedial and basic arts. and music – the secret, eff ective weapons math and science to get test scores up and “Because I believe so strongly in the that will help us to be competitive and away from art and music. Th at’s part of importance of the arts I will ensure that we creative. It is crucial that children fl ex both a bigger problem. Which is I don’t think at a national level are providing incentives the left and right sides of the brain. We all we are assessing schools eff ectively under and funding to help promote the arts both know the cliché of thinking outside the NCLB. I think we have to have an assess- in public school and in colleges and univer- box: I want our children to be so creative ment that includes a test…but it has also sities.” that they think outside the cardboard has to include peer review. It also has to factory. Art and music are as important as include what is called a growth model so Bill Richardson math and science because the dreamers that were measuring what happens during “I would scrap no child left behind. It and visionaries among us take the rough the course of the school year. Right now, doesn’t work. It is a fl awed law…not just an straw of an idea and spin it into the gold of if a child comes in and they’re three years unfunded mandate but the ‘one-size fi ts all’ new businesses and jobs. It is as important behind, and at the end of the year they’re just doesn’t work. to identify and encourage children with ar- only one year behind, that school’s actually “I would emphasize science and math tistic talent. Our future economy depends done a very good job. But it wouldn’t show and to make sure that our kids that are not continued on page 4 www.musicforall.org • 2 Keep Your School Music Program Strong The 9,000 Member companies of NAMM, the association of the international music products industry, believe in music. We are proud to support Music for All and to play a part in this season of Bands of America events. NAMM invites you to visit your local community music stores and learn more about the proven benefits of making music. Keep music education strong– go to supportmusic.com. Brought to you by ...Talk continued from page 2 on a creative generation. Arts education inspires the creative genius in our children. “For the fi rst time we at least recognize (in NCLB) that the arts ought to be part of the core curriculum. Let’s take it RESEARCH & ADVOCACY now to the next step. Lets ensure that in every one of the 50 states it is a part of the off ering. And that’s something that in Arkansas it meant that we had to get it through the legislature and get it passed. And some would say but when you mandate Those With More Education are More something is that a good thing? Yes it can be because what Likely to Have Higher Household we force we fund. What we don’t force we don’t fund. I would suggest that it’s important to force it because it’s important. Incomes And if we force it we fund it and if we fund it we elevate it and Harris Poll Provides Surprising Findings we make sure that there is no child left behind when it comes not just in music but to dance or to art or to whatever form of Whether it’s chorus, band or just violin lessons, music impacts artistic creative talent that a student may in fact have.” Americans’ lives. While singing in a chorus or playing an instrument is fun, it can also provide important skills like creative problem So this is just a very small sample of what the candidates are solving that can help lead to higher education and incomes as well saying. And not just once or twice…numerous times…in de- as personal fulfi llment.