New youth orchestras are created each year to meet the growing
demand for music education and positive alternative activities
for young people. Policymakers in Washington, D.C. are considering
legislation that will affect your orchestra. Help keep these orchestra
numbers growing by contacting your local representatives and members
of congress about the arts issues that are important to you. Also
visit www.americanorchestras.org "Advocacy and Government" page for more information.
Governor, Phil Bredesen
Phone: (615) 741-2001
Fax: (615) 532-9711
Web Site: www.state.tn.us/gov |
Senator, Bob Corker
Phone: (615) 279-8125
Fax: (615) 279-9488
Web Site: Corker.senate.gov |
| |
|
Senator, Lamar Alexander
Phone: (615) 736-5129
Fax: (615) 269-4803
Web Site: alexander.senate.gov
|
Representative, Bart Gordon
Phone: (615) 896-1986
Fax: (615) 896-8218
Web Site: www.house.gov/gordon |
Contact your local, state and national political leaders to urge their continued support for funding for the arts and arts in education. Your influence and activism helps the Murfreesboro Youth Orchestra and arts organizations throughout Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee and the nation. Thank you for your involvement and support of the Murfreesboro Youth Orchestra!
Statement of Common Cause: Orchestras Support In-School Music Education
The Murfreesboro Youth Orchestra proudly subscribes to and supports the following Statement of Common Cause:
America’s adult and youth orchestras are committed to advocating for better music education in our nation’s schools. Educational activities in orchestras have grown exponentially over the past 10 to 15 years. Starting from the tradition of stand-alone school-day and family concerts, orchestras now offer small ensemble performances; residencies and long-term partnerships; after-school and summer camps; instrumental instruction; early childhood and teen programs;
and a host of other activities. Additionally, there are now nearly 500 youth orchestras in communities across the country. Orchestra programs strive for deeply embedded partnerships with local school systems, and responsiveness to local, state, and national arts and academic standards.
While these programs provide an opportunity for young people to develop a lifelong relationship with music and with the orchestra, these programs are not capable of replacing a standards-based K-12 music education.
Research has proven that arts education uniquely provides academic and social benefits, preparing students for success in school, work, and life. The status of music education in our nation’s schools has short- and long-term consequences for both student achievement and the future of all our orchestras. America’s orchestras are committed to:
Advocating for In-School Music Education
Orchestras believe:
• A child’s education is not complete unless it includes the arts. The arts are a core subject of learning, and music is vital to maximizing a child’s full potential. Ensemble music making in schools is an important part of a complete music education.
• Schools are in a unique position to deliver comprehensive, high quality, systemic music education to all students. Orchestras will serve as a resource in this effort.
• The needs of students should be at the center of education advocacy efforts. Orchestras’ education programs are most effective when developed to address the needs of student learners, in partnership with the school leaders (teachers, administrators, parents), local arts organizations, and other stakeholders.
Being Informed Advocates
Orchestras commit to:
• Understanding the status of in-school music education and advocating for accurate data and accountability about how much and what kindof music instruction students receive.
• Discovering, implementing, and sharing best practices in advocacy for comprehensive, high-quality in-school music education through sustainable partnerships with all advocates in the community.
• Understanding how orchestra resources and strengths can best address student, school, and community needs.
Taking Action
Orchestras seek to improve the status of in-school music education by:
• Ensuring music education advocacy is a role for everyone in the orchestra family — staff, musicians, trustees, volunteers and our audiences.
• Advocating for policies that support the presence of in-school music educators and demonstrably improve access to high-quality music education for all students.
• Proactively forming sustainable advocacy relationships with school partners, policy leaders, and community stakeholders to secure the success of every child’s music education.
• Participating in forums where local, state, and national education policies are determined by listening to community needs and communicating the benefits of systemic K-12 music education.
February 27, 2009
letter from Representative Bart Gordon
February 4, 2009 Email To Senator Lamar Alexander
February 4, 2009Email to Senator Bob Corker
Statement Of Common Cause August 8, 2008, Marilyn Mathis
Statement Of Common Cause August 8, 2008, Harry Gill
City Grant August 8, 2008, Mayor Tommy Bragg
Community Enhancement Grant, January 23, 2008 Senator Jim Tracy
Arts in Education April 23, 2008, Harry Gill
Arts in Education August 8, 2008, Marilyn Mathis
Collaborative Efforts, February 5, 2009, Dr. George Riordan
February 3, 2006 letter
from Senator Lamar Alexander
February 17, 2006
letter from Representative Bart Gordon
For viewing and printing the letters, Adobe
Acrobat Reader is necessary. Adobe Acrobat Reader is a free
download from Adobe.
