Preserving Music Education

My topic of interest is "Preserving Music Education". 

Organizations reviewed: I have researched and reviewed 4 organizations, which I conclude as supporting my area of particular interest, The first two are local to the USA and the latter two are international.

My research of each organization is in the following categories and their contents form the basis of the rational for my conclusion. Some categories may not be applicable to all the organizations but overall each organization demonstrates a strong advocacy for Music education in the school system, even though not all are directly involved in the schooling system. These organizations are in many ways demonstrating and promoting innovative teaching practices (ITL) - learning beyond the classroom.

1). Explicit and inherent mission statements and their intended goals/objectives.

2). Programs offered and their actual achievements.

3). Affirmative actions that demonstrate their strong advocacy.

4). Investments in resources and facilities.

National Association for Music Education (NAFME )

NAFME serves to advance and preserve Music education and as part of the core curriculum of schools in the United States. Since 1907, NAfME has worked to ensure that every student has access to a well-balanced, comprehensive, and high-quality program of music instruction taught by qualified teachers.

It holds constant conferences with the government bodies to ensure that all students—regardless of their socioeconomic status—experience the demonstrable positive impact that music education has on learning and life.

July 31, 2015 Update: Hopeful Atmosphere during Next Steps with ESEA

July 17, 2015 Update: A Look Back on Action To-Date on ESEA 2015

July 16, 2015 Update: Senate Passes Every Child Achieves Act, with Music and Arts as Core Subjects Intact

In February 2014 NAFME launched the Broader Minded campaign to pool together the research and arguments for the extrinsic benefits of music and go beyond those arguments to advocate for “music for music’s sake.”

Youtube information on Broader Minded”movement  www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OZUufyeg7E

Think beyond the bubbles. www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUXaBzbdLxQ  

New findings: I am especially excited about the Broader Minded campaign, it is a platform i) to ensure our voice is being heard with regards to advocating Music education. ii) to share our stories about the way music has touched our students in the classroom, or made a difference in our own lives. iii) to find facts about music education and the students' achievement in schools. iv) to learn how to advocate for music education. The Broader Minded^TM campaign is filled with strong arguments for keeping sequential, standards-based music classes in every school movement to support the campaign. I will begin with writing my own story as a Music educator to truly advocate for music education.    https://broaderminded.com/

Arts Education Partnership ( AEP)

AEP was established in 1995 by the National Endowment for the Arts, the U.S. Department of Education, the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), and the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) to serve as the nation’s hub for individuals and organizations committed to making high-quality arts education accessible to all U.S. students, improving arts education practice, and researching how arts influence and strengthen American education. It provides priority access to research and information, and creates opportunities for communication and collaboration between arts disciplines and across sectors on key education issues, which benefits their work with their constituents in schools and communities nationwide. Partners and their constituents do the on-the-ground work every day of making the case for arts education as a critical component of a complete education.

AEP holds annual forums around the world to explore arts-centered solutions as states across the country implement higher learning expectations aimed at ensuring America’s young people leave high school ready for college, careers, and citizenship.

International Society of Music Education (ISME)

The International Society for Music Education was formed at a conference convened by UNESCO in 1953 'to stimulate music education as an integral part of general education'. To date ISME has become a worldwide organisation for music educators that seeks to celebrate the diverse ways that people engage with, and develop in and through, music.

ISME affirms that:

• there is a need for music education in all cultures;
• effective music education depends on suitably qualified teachers who are respected and compensated properly for their work;
• formal and informal music education programs should serve the individual needs of all learners, including those with special needs and exceptional competencies; and
• music education programs should take as a point of departure the existence of a wide variety of music, all of which are worthy of understanding and study.

One of ISME’s main sponsors, the National Association of Music Merchant (NAMM) has a foundation that provides financial aid for projects that supports innovative community-based music learning programs that allow more people the opportunity to experience the proven benefits of active music making. The NAMM Foundation seeks to strengthen music education in schools and communities nationwide through its SupportMusic Coalition program, which provides tools and resources to advance community support for music education with the idea that local parents, teachers, students and advocates CAN make a difference! In 2010, the NAMM Foundation provided close to $600,000 in grants to worthy organizations and programs. It also annually releases a list of the "Best Communities for Music Education" honoring schools that demonstrate a strong commitment to music and arts as part of a well-rounded education for every child.

NAMM Foundation official website: https://www.nammfoundation.org/

New findings: I come to know that NAMM, which is famous and popular only for strengthening the music products industry as well as producing successful trade shows has now devoloped a focus on representing the members' shared interests , i.e. promoting music education as a right for all children to elected officials and policy makers in the United States. For further information, please read NAMM Furthers Music and the Arts By Empowering Iowa Arts Advocates (Presidential candidates and their surrogates share policy positions on music and the arts). https://www.namm.org/news/press-releases/namm-furthers-music-and-arts-empowering-iowa-arts

International Music Council (IMC)

The International Music Council is the world's leading membership-based professional organisation dedicated to the promotion of the value of music in the lives of all peoples. IMC's mission is to develop sustainable music sectors worldwide, to create awareness about the value of music, to make music matter throughout the society, and to uphold basic music rights in all countries. IMC was founded in 1949 at the request of the Director-General of UNESCO as a non-governmental advisory body to the agency on musical matters. It is based at UNESCO headquarters in Paris and functions today independently as an international NGO official partner of UNESCO. In the course of its existence, IMC has developed into a highly influential network advocating for appropriate policies and practices aimed at strengthening the work of its members and partners worldwide. 

Although not directly involved with school education, its rights reflect loudly that music learning has to begin from the school.

New Findings: This website is new to me. I have come to know about it as I research for organizations that support Music. Although I am not familiar with their activities, it is good news for me to know how this organization helps develop music in some third world countries, namely countries in Africa.

                      

Sources:

National Association for Music Education (NAfME) - Music Education · Orchestrating Success. (n.d.). Retrieved August 26, 2015 from http://www.nafme.org/

Broader Minded. (n.d.). Retrieved August 26, 2015 from https://broaderminded.com/

International Society for Music Education (ISME.org). (n.d.). Retrieved August 29, 2015, from http://www.isme.org/ 

NAMM Foundation Home Page. (2015, April 27). Retrieved August 26, 2015 from https://www.nammfoundation.org/

AEP-ARTS. (n.d.). Retrieved August 26, 2015 from http://www.aep-arts.org/

Welcome. (n.d.). Retrieved August 29, 2015, from http://www.imc-cim.org/ 

NAMM Furthers Music and the Arts By Empowering Iowa Arts Advocates. (n.d.). Retrieved August 27, 2015 from https://www.namm.org/news/press-releases/namm-furthers-music-and-arts-empowering-iowa-arts.