MUSIC ADVOCACY: Caring Enough to Put the Student First
<Why does your district need a local Music Coalition?>Because in my view it is the most effective way to ensure that your school district provides equal educational opportunities for all of its students to participate in the making of music!An effective local music coalition holds a school district accountable for <student-centered decision making>.
A local coalition places the student back to the center of the decision-making process.
A local coalition identifies the music program as an integral part of the community.
A local coalition unifies the music program as a unified district-wide curriculum.
A local coalition promotes music education, not just band, choir, orchestra, or general music.
A local coalition is a community organization that incorporates all of its constituents in the support of music making.
A local coalition provides for bringing music into all of life.
A local coalition puts the "public" in Public Education!
The coalition may be organized as a support group within the educational system (Type 1), or outside of the district as an independent entity for the support of music within the schools. Districts that select the independent option often take legal steps to become recognized as a non-profit corporation. It must be structured in such a way as to provide for representation from every level of education from each school in the district, and from the community at large. Each structure has issues that determine which form may be most successful in a specific district.
Local Music Coalition Issues
Type 1: Contained Within the District
Type 2:Independent of the School District
Appears to be a collaborative body within the district, potentially facilitating more cooperation within the system
May be perceived as an adversarial body, leading to potential power struggles within the community
May facilitate increased cooperation from administration; for example, building usage, distribution of materials, membership drives
May make it more difficult to acquire administrative cooperation
Often limits membership to parents with children currently in the program
Membership more readily perceived as open to the community at large
Tends to be oriented toward specific music performing organizations (band, orchestra, chorus)
More apt to be broad focus on music education rather than specific segments of the curriculum
Tends to become focused on the high school
Tends to be more broad based, including representation of all levels of education
Greater turnover in leadership may lead to teacher dependency for motivation
Community ownership provides for wider leadership base and long term participation
Oriented toward fund-raising; less on curricular and philosophical issues
Broader focus on all aspects of music, including philosophical and curriculum
May lead to competition between different areas of the music program
More tendency to provide for balance between curricular areas
The local music coalition should have a central Executive Committee that provides for a balanced representation of all components of the music curriculum: band, choir, orchestra, and general music (P-12). In addition to any other basic organizational or management structures you wish to establish, I recommend that you have at least the following four committees.
COMMUNICATIONS: Serving a Public Relations vehicle with the public, this committee functions as the primary means of dispersing any information related to the music program.It includes the following responsibilities.
Recruits and activates membership
·Provides opportunities for membership enrollment at all music functions in the district
·Develops and maintains mailing lists
·Develops and maintains email and/or telephone contact system, particularly for emergency meetings
·Provides a visible presence at all music activities within the district
Distributes information as a Public Relations entity
·Develops, publishes and distributes a District Music Newsletter
·Develops and maintains a Community Music Website
ADMINISTRATIVE LIAISON:This committee serves as a representative body for the exchange of information with members of the administration and school board in matters related to district policy as it affects the music program.It includes the following responsibilities.
Represents the community at the primary advocacy body in support of music for all children in the district
Serves as a vehicle for communication between the Music Faculty, Administration, School Board, and community in matters related to policy
Assists the music department in developing and presenting proposals related to music policy
Acquires knowledge of administrative proposals or issues within the district that may affect the music program
Provides representation at every school board meeting with at least one member of the committee
Recruis, trains, supports and elects members to the school board and legislative bodies that support music education for all children by actions that lead to specific and positive outcomes for students
Holds public officials accountable for their decisions related to music education
STATISTICS AND FINANCE:
Represents the community in matters related to the maintenance of relevant statistical data on the music program, such as <Faculty Issues>, <Student Participation>, <Economic Status>.
Works with the Music Department, Administration and School Board to develop of adequate budgets for aspects of the music program that are <Curricular> and <Co-curricular>
Works with the Music Department, Administration and School Board to establish policies that restrict fundraising to those aspects of the music program that are <Extra-curricular> or unique occasional events that may not be funded as regular line items in the Curricular or Co-curricular budgets, such as invitational performances at regional, national or international events
Works with the Music Department, Administration and School Board to establish policies that prohibit the implementation of extra fees for participation in music
Manages all fundraising activities and revenues, and specifically related expenses
PHILSOPHY AND CURRICULUM
1.Works with the Music Department, Administration and School Board to establish policies that facilitate music participation for all children
2.Works with the Music Department, Administration and School Board to establish a sequential written curriculum for the P-12 music curriculum with goals for student achievement that are specific, achievable, and measurable and meet the minimum <National Standards for Music education> as established by the Music Educators National Conference.
3.Works with the Music Department, Administration and School Board to establish a system of assessment that clearly delineates student achievement in music
4.Works with music teachers to develop a system of reporting student achievement to parents that clearly delineates student achievement in music
5.Works with the Music Department, Administration and School Board to establish policies related to the evaluation of music faculty that are based on student achievement as outlined in the district music curriculum
The local music coalition should work with financial and legal specialists to secure assistance in matters related to compliance with IRS or other guidelines.
Other resources are available to assist you in organizing a local music coalition.
Music Educators National Conference
Music Booster Manual
The definitive guide for starting and managing a local music booster organization. Various chapters deal with organizing, budgeting, fundraising, publicity, travel, and achieving school and community support. 1989. 56 pages. ISBN 0-940796-68-6.
Finally, your coalition must be carefully structured in such a way that it does NOT become an organization for the micro-management of the curriculum, teachers, or any particular component within the curriculum.
