Celebrating Music in Our Schools

Designed to underscore the need and benefits of quality music education programs for students, the first Music in Our Schools Month® took place in March of 1985. Sponsored by the National Association for Music Education, this dedicated week is a great way to generate buzz for school music programs and get everyone thinking about ways to incorporate music into their lives in greater ways.

Here are some ways you can bring Music in Our Schools Month® to life in your home:

1. Explore the effects of music on your child’s favorite movies. This could be a holiday or Disney movie, or other film that was adapted from a book they’ve read. How did music help to tell the story?
2. Talk about how setting important facts or details to music can help you learn. You can use the ABCs as an example, or even Wakko’s 50 state capitols from Animaniacs.
3. Play a piece of music and ask your child to tell you what they liked about it or how it made them feel. Once they’ve finished sharing their thoughts, share yours too.

According to the National Day Calendar website, here are some meaningful ways you can observe and support your children and our school:

• Volunteer – If you play an instrument, offer to demonstrate for a class. Your talent will add diversity to what is often a limited number of instruments and styles of music.
• Donate – Music programs in schools are on the decline. Support music programs through donations.
• Be heard – Let your schools know you support music programs. Make sure they know it’s important to you and your children.
• Show up – Attend concerts, meetings, and programs. The more informed you are, the more you are able to support music programs and your children.
• Share – Spread the word about your child’s music program. The more people who attend, the more people are supporting music in your schools!