Arts Education Research

Montana Senator Conducts All-State Band

The folks out in Montana really know how to do it! On Friday evening, the Montana All-State Band was under the baton of U.S. Senator Jon Tester. That's right. A sitting U.S. Senator was conducting the band... and enjoying it! Tester rehearsed with the band hours before a performance at the Montana High School Association All-State Music Festival. Tester joked after the rehearsal that he was more nervous to perform at the festival than to publicly address the $700 billion economic bailout plan recently approved by the Senate. The Great Falls Tribune reported:

"They're a very talented group," Tester said of the All-State Band. "They lead me as much as I lead them. ... I'm just nervous that I don't screw them up." In addition to conducting the band, Tester shared advice with the students. "Music is very important. It's something that you take with you," Tester said, later adding that music taught him how to work hard and be persistent. He said he used those skills later to become successful. "If you work hard and keep at it, you can be successful. That's what music taught me," Tester said. He also said that music, and the arts in general, are just as important to study in school as traditional subjects such as math. He said it's a big mistake when schools cut their arts programs, and encouraged the students to continue to pursue music. Edward Varner, the supervisor of music at Great Falls Public Schools, said Tester's message was passionate. "It was an honor for us ... that he would feel so strongly about music education that he wants to take this time out for us," Varner said.

Now, it does not hurt that Senator Tester is a former music teacher and trumpet player! This comment caught my eye that is worth repeating:

Music taught him how to work hard and be persistent. He said he used those skills later to become successful.

Isn't it ironic how many people who were involved with music but go on to pursue other career paths invariably refer back to the skills they learned in music as playing a critical role in their non-musical success? This is a central point we need to keep on making! Congratulations to the folks in Montana for providing such a striking example for us all! Senator honored at chance to conduct All-State Band | greatfallstribune.com | Great Falls Tribune

You CAN Make a Difference

I often use this space to provide advocacy advice and suggest strategies for use in saving, maintaining, and expanding programs for everyone to consider. Not today. Instead, I want to share with you an actual exchange with a band director whose program was in an immediate crisis. Panic Button I was recently on vacation with my family in Washington D.C. I spend so much time there on business that I rarely get to actually take in and enjoy the wonderful historic and cultural offerings this magnificent city has to offer. When I travel I carry my Treo 650 Smartphone so I can stay on top of any issue that may need a quick response. One item linked to my email address is a “Panic Button” on our Web site that was created for someone to press if they were facing an immediate crisis and needed an immediate response. This is part of our deep commitment to help individual music supporters be as effective as possible when a music program is at risk. After a fantastic day touring the capital, visiting where money is made, walking the Smithsonian Gardens, visiting the Washington Monument, the World War II and Lincoln Memorials, we headed back to our hotel near the White House to rest before dinner. Checking my email the following appeared (Note: The name has been changed for privacy purposes):

Don't Be Silent!

This has been a very busy two months. I have had the distinct pleasure of traveling around the country from coast to coast, visiting with educators and parents, politicians, and policy makers – Senators and Governors, education leaders of all stripes, students and a few activist musicians along the way. Two events during my recent travels have had an impact on my thinking. I recently had the honor to present the Keynote Address at the largest single gathering of music educators in the world, the 2007 Texas Music Educators Association Convention. This was followed shortly by my participation at the 2007 Arts Advocacy Day in Washington D.C. where I witnessed something remarkable. In Texas, Sir Ken Robinson and I created a two-session double-header tag-team (I am running out of hyphenated metaphors) focusing on creativity and the change to our global economy and the connection to music and arts education every day in our classrooms. At the end of Sir Ken’s session we had the opportunity to hear the Texas Commissioner of Education, Dr. Shirley J. Neeley, speak about her vision for education in Texas as well as the challenges and opportunities for music and arts educators to advance the arts in our schools. She herself is an arts education advocate. She went on about the challenges of standardized testing but maintained a steadfast commitment to ensuring the state requirements would be enforced – requirements that include instruction in music and all of the arts. She ended her remarks with this on emphatic, repeated statement: Don’t Be Silent Don’t Be Silent Don’t Be Silent!

A Music and Arts Education Advocate Runs for President

This morning, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee announced his plans to run for President of the United States. You will know from reading this blog that Governor Huckabee has been an unwavering supporter of music and arts education and has used his position of power and influence to help educate others on the critical role music and arts education plays in the development of our children. He has pledged to continue to keep this issue in the public eye and bring it into the campaign debate - just as he did today on Meet the Press:

GOV. HUCKABEE: This is from Memphis, by the way, yeah. MR. RUSSERT: Now, I believe that song is “Born To Be Wild.” Is that your inner self? GOV. HUCKABEE: It probably would be born to be mild would be a better one for me. I love music. One of the things that I’m very passionate about is music and art and education because it was life-changing for me. I think in a creative economy we’ve got to have a whole group of kids coming up and a generation whose left and right brains are stimulated. It’s something I pushed for as a governor in Arkansas where we are one of the few states that required both music and art education. I’m a musician, I’m passionate about it, but I think this, this country has made a huge mistake in cutting music and art out of school budgets. And it’s something we’ve got to address because the future economy is dependent upon a creative generation. MR. RUSSERT: Governor Mike Huckabee, he’s announced for president. Thank you for sharing your views, and we’ll be following your campaign. MTP Transcript for Jan. 28, 2007 - Meet the Press, online at MSNBC - MSNBC.com

Regardless of ones politics... whether as an individual you support him or not... the arts education community will be well served by having such a candidate in the fray to bring our powerful message to the national spotlight. From today's announcement!

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee announced Sunday on NBC's 'Meet the Press' morning show with host Tim Russert that he will explore a presidential bid for 2008. Huckabee, who left office Jan. 9, said,"People want an authentic conservative who has a proven record of results.” “I’m taking the next step in becoming a candidate for President of United States,“ Huckabee, a Republican, said. “By filing papers with the Federal Election Commission, I will establish my official exploratory committee.” The formation of an exploratory committee allows Huckabee to raise and spend money for a presidential run. “I've concluded that I should take this necessary and vital step to bring a new kind of optimistic leadership to the public square,” Huckabee said, noting that he has received "strong, prayerful support" from his family, close friends and supporters in many states. Last year, Huckabee campaigned in nearly 30 states on behalf of Republican candidates, state parties and conservative groups. Huckabee became Arkansas' 44th governor in July 1996 when his predecessor resigned. He was one of the youngest governors in the country at the time. Huckabee first was elected lieutenant governor in a 1993 special election and was elected to a full four-year term in 1994. He was only the fourth Republican to be elected to statewide office since Reconstruction. Huckabee was elected to a full four-year term as governor in 1998, attracting the largest percentage of the vote ever received by a Republican gubernatorial nominee in Arkansas, and was re-elected to another four-year term in November 2002. He was the third longest serving governor in the history of Arkansas, having served ten and a half years. Huckabee is nationally recognized for his leadership capabilities and many accomplishments as governor. 'Governing' magazine named him as one of its Public Officials of the Year in 2005, Time magazine honored him as one of the 'Five Best Governors' in America, and he received the distinguished Impact Award from the American Association of Retired Persons. Huckabee served as chairman of the National Governors Association and chairman of the Education Commission of the States. During his tenure as governor, Huckabee made great strides in improving education, increasing access to health care, updating technology in state government and revamping the state’s roadways. Huckabee, a fiscal conservative, pushed through the Arkansas Legislature the first major, broad-based tax cuts in state history. He led efforts to establish a Property Taxpayers' Bill of Rights and created a welfare reform program that reduced welfare rolls in the state by almost 50 percent. The governor is a noted speaker and author. He has given speeches on politics and public policy to groups across the country and around the world. Born and raised in Hope, AR, Huckabee, 51, and his wife, Janet, live in North Little Rock. They have three grown children, John Mark, David and Sarah. Official announcement activities are scheduled to begin on Tuesday, Jan. 30, with a two-day tour in Iowa. (This will be the Governor's ninth trip to the Hawkeye State.)

Iowa Politics

From Hope to Higher Ground

No advocate has had a greater impact on advancing music and arts education over the past decade than Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee. No one. He has used his leadership posts as Governor, his chairmanship of both the Education Commission of the States and the National Governors Association as his own “bully pulpit” to promote the value and importance of music and arts for our children. He has used his pen to craft education legislation to provide the force of law to protect our programs. He walks the walk and talks the talk. His efforts have really brought our cause from hope to higher ground. Governor Huckabee has finished his term as Governor of Arkansas and is turning the page on a new chapter in his life as an author, public speaker, and who knows what else. Now he has written a book! FROM HOPE TO HIGHER GROUND: 12 STOPs to Restoring America’s Greatness. He has been kind enough to share with all of us an excerpt from his book that focuses on his passion for our cause and the deep personal meaning music has in his life. I think you will enjoy it!

The Music in Us All

The calendar has turned to a new school year. All of us have dreams, hopes, and expectations for our programs. All of us look to provide inspiration to our students in the coming year. With that in mind I am offering the following as inspiration to each of you. On Saturday October 7 at 7 PM (eastern time), HBO will premiere the documentary The Music in Me. This is the first in a series of specials that will premiere over the next twelve months. Don’t miss it! That’s my point. Don’t miss this show. If you want to know why… read on. Leslie Stifelman, the executive producer of The Music in Me and the musical director for Chicago on Broadway recently invited me to a screening of this show. From the very start I was captivated. There were times I caught myself with my mouth wide open. It was without question the most inspiring program (television, film or radio) focusing on music and kids that I have ever seen (and I have seen most of them). It was so moving that I immediately called my good friend and partner in advocacy NAMM’s Mary Luehrsen insisting that she see the show. Her response was the same as mine. I share these reactions with you because I know that no matter how eloquent I attempt to be with the next few paragraphs I will not do this show proper justice. Here goes:

The Four C’s of advancing Music Education

Every now and again someone has the crazy idea that I may have something of value to say and asks me to be a part of a panel discussion. As patient readers of this column, you know that I always have plenty to say – whether or not it is of any value is another mater! My latest victim was the National Music Council who asked me (along with several more insightful individuals) to share a panel discussion on the role of the broader music community/industry in supporting music education and to discuss what, if anything, this group could collectively do to help advance our cause. Richard Bell, CEO of Young Audiences and one of the really bright thinkers in the area of arts education, was one of the other panelists. Responding to a question from the moderator, Richard went on one of the more interesting riffs I have heard recently regarding what the community needs to do to support music and arts education. He calls these goals “The Four C’s.” I found the Four C’s to be so fascinating that thought I would slightly modify and share them with you:

STATE MUST RESTORE LONG-NEGLECTED FUNDING

The San Jose Mercury News weighs in on the arts education funding debate in Calfironia:

Arts programs due for cash infusion Mercury News Editorial This weekend and next, Willow Glen High School will perform the musical ``Once on This Island'' with a new partner, Children's Musical Theater San Jose. Willow Glen is providing the actors and volunteers, and Children's Musical Theater is providing the expertise and equipment. It's a creative solution to stretch the meager resources that public schools have today for the arts. Most, especially middle and elementary schools, have been barely able to keep arts programs alive. That's why it's critical that the Legislature approve $100 million for K-8 arts education that Gov. Schwarzenegger has proposed in his budget. It may seem like a lot of money, but it breaks down to only $20 per student -- or $14,000 for an elementary school of 700 kids and $24,000 for a middle school with 1,200 students. It's not even enough to hire a full-time arts teacher, but it's a start. Requiring money to be spent on the arts would run counter to the trend over the past few years of giving school districts more say over spending. Flexibility is important, but so is at least minimal spending for the arts and physical education, for which Schwarzenegger is earmarking $85 million. Both are essential for students' intellectual, creative and physical development. The arts especially have been hit hard, as districts have shifted resources to boost students' performance on standardized tests. Some schools facing state sanctions have dropped most electives to make room for remedial math and English. The California State University system requires a year of arts courses for admission, so high schools have had to preserve some programs. But many students are arriving in ninth grade with no background in music or dance and a meager exposure to the visual arts. As is so often the case in California, schools in poor areas are worse off. Parents there, unlike in wealthier areas, can't raise extra money to hire a band instructor or drama teacher. It will take years to rebuild programs, including training teachers in the arts. The governor's proposal is just a start. But creative schools will find ways to make the most of the money -- like the collaboration at Willow Glen High.

Let's hope the Legislators are listening! Arts programs due for cash infusion

"Schwarzenegger's school-arts budget is an opportunity that cannot be squandered"

Today's San Francisco Chronicle weighs in on our side regarding the proposed $100 million reinvestment in arts education for California's public schools. The paper clearly supports the proposal and offers some excellent suggestions to provide accountability and to ensure the funds will be used to build upon and not replace existing funds.

EDITORIAL - San Francisco Chronicle Friday, March 24, 2006 The art of learning THE STUDY of the arts is not a luxury. It is an essential component of a well-rounded education. Its positive effects on a child's spatial skills have been shown to translate into higher achievement in mathematics and other subjects. The lure of quality arts and music programs can help retain and motivate students who might otherwise lose interest in school. Regrettably, arts programs have been affected disproportionately by tightening K-12 budgets in recent years. Funding for arts education has been in steady decline since 1970, when California eliminated the arts-course requirements from the elementary teaching credential. In an effort to reverse that trend, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger included $100 million for K-8 art and music education in his proposed 2006-07 budget. Advocates for arts education were especially heartened by the budget's promise that this newfound commitment to the arts "will be built upon" in future budgets. "We've never had that type of support from a governor," said Laurie T. Schell, director of the Pasadena-based California Alliance for Arts Education. In our view, the proposal would show an even stronger commitment to arts education -- and have a better chance of enduring -- if it were accompanied by legislation demanding more accountability and clear guidelines on how the money should be spent. Also, under the budget proposal, the grants would be divided evenly around the state, at the rate of $20 a pupil. A more effective use of this money would be to give priority to schools in lower-income areas that do not have arts programs. Schwarzenegger's school-arts budget is an opportunity that cannot be squandered. This money must be accompanied by strict assurances that it will go to its intended purpose.

To our California readers... if you have not weighed in on this issue... now us the time to be heard! To send a message to your legislators go to the California Arts Action Center The art of learning

The School-Real Estate Values Connection

A colleague of mine, John Pietrowski (who runs Playwrights Theatre of New Jersey and is on our project team for the New Jersey Arts Education Census Project, which is really the next generation of work he pioneered in the state) has often commented in our meetings about the connection between real estate values and quality arts education programs in schools. His premise was, and remains, that realtors are naturally inclined to support arts education because they understand what this does for the quality of a school and what quality schools do for the value of homes. They also speak everyday with people who are making choices about where they will live and what issues are important to them in making this important life choice for their family. Apparently, music and arts education comes up frequently. This whole connection idea made logical sense to me… but I had never heard it come from anyone in the real estate business… until now. John… you are right! The following excerpt is from the Ukiah area of California

REAL ESTATE: The school-real estate values connection By Bill Barksdale Its an interesting, yet logical, phenomenon that a strong local school system increases and supports stronger real estate values. Many homebuyers ask their agent about the quality of the local schools. Even buyers who dont have school-age children want to know about local schools because it may indicate the availability of a competent, disciplined work force and can indicate lower crime statistics if young people are treated with respect by investment in their education. Arts education, often marginalized and the first to have funds cut, not only provides a productive way for young people to spend their time - but more importantly, it teaches critical thinking skills that are essential in business. The creative process helps people to think outside of the box. This is one the most important skills of any good entrepreneur in creating new businesses and finding solutions to problems. The better the educational environment of a community, the more likely an employer will choose to locate their business in that community with well paying jobs. Those jobs create opportunity for employees to afford to purchase a home, or improve the home they already own. In addition, people who receive a good education locally are more likely to remain in the community and improve it. As a homeowner, they acquire one of the most important assets possible toward financial security.

Looks like another valuable argument to add to the quiver! Complete article: The Willits News - Business