Advocacy, it’s what we do!! It is also the intent to of this article to give the reader some direction in efforts to advocate for what it does for the student, school, community and our society in general.

Most of the music educators’ time is spent directly involved with the teaching of the art. Through that process we instruct, coerce, encourage and advocate for better understanding and performance. During this process all that is good about music becomes clearer in the minds of our students, at least that is one goal.

Having said that, I need to remind you that you are the primary authority on music in your classroom, if not the school and perhaps the community. As the authority it is imperative that the information you provide be to the point and supported by as much information as possible.

Outside of the classroom we must direct our efforts to the people that provide the leadership within the school, the community and our state. Within the school there must be constant diligence to keep music a part of what every child must have for a well-rounded education. Within the community there must be the development of a positive attitude from community leaders that keep music a vital part of the residents lifestyle. At the State level there is a constant need to provide leadership in keeping the legislature aware of the impact of music and art programs throughout our state.

There are numerous sources for advocacy materials. Use these links to access materials ranging from handouts, to PSA’s, to factual knowledge of what music can do for our students.

MENC has available a wealth of material available at its Advocacy Website.
www.menc.org/information/advocacy/main.html

Support Music also has material available including a link to “grade your school music program.”
www.supportmusic.com

Music For All has joined forces with Bands of America and Orchestras of America to provide a web site that has an Advocacy tools link under the resources title on the home page.
www.bands.org

A Tri-M chapter in your school would provide a wonderful opportunity for your students to become actively involved in the efforts to maintain and build your program. Go to MENC.org and click on the link to Tri-M or use this link.
www.menc.org/information/trim/portal_visitors.html

For your communities, utilize the above sites and add to those the following:

The American Music Conference: www.amc-music.org

Support Music Community Action Kit: www.supportmusic.com/kit

Have parents and community leaders join Music Friends (www.musicfriends.org) as a way of supporting your program. In addition, the use of parent support groups, whether organized as booster clubs or simply a calling chain, can provide much support and advocacy for the music programs in your community. Get to know the legislators in your House and Senate districts. Involve them in any way possible with your programs and activities. The more involved they become, the more they will see the value of what you are teaching.

On the state level I would encourage you to participate in organizations such as the Kansas Citizens for the Arts. This organization is a grassroots effort to keep funding for the Kansas Arts Commission on a level in the state budget that will continue to foster growth in the Arts Communities throughout the state. This organization sponsors an Arts Day at the Capitol each year. On that day leadership of arts communities from across Kansas gather at the Capitol building in Topeka to visit with, provide material for, and visit with legislators about the need to keep the arts vital within our communities and our educational systems. In hosting this event the KCA provides an opportunity for a one-day “rally” that does in fact make a difference. Many of our representatives and senators fully support the arts and have spoken eloquently to the facts supporting the growth of the individual through the arts. The economic well being of our state also requires the arts to continue the quality of life that will attract new business and economic development. During the 2008 legislative session the “Arts Day at the Capitol” is scheduled for Friday, March 7. This is a change from the previously stated date.

For information on the Kansas Citizens for the Arts the website is: www.kansasarts.org

The Kansas Arts Commission website is: http://arts.state.ks.us

One last website that you must visit:

Music Education Magic (www.musicedmagic.com) will give you an opportunity for some online Professional in-service and an opportunity to explore the Comprehensive Music Project (CMP).

Music! It’s what we are all about. We must continue to “advocate” (“Active verbal support for a cause or position” from dictionary) for music throughout our lives. Every one of our citizens, no matter their age, deserves to have their lives enriched by the art of music. It doesn’t matter whether they may be producers or consumers, we all are affected by our exposure to, or lack of, music in our lives.

KMEA Advocacy Chair