Celebrating Music In Our Schools Month

Thanks to an observance that sprang from an idea by the New York State School Music Association, Music In Our Schools Month has developed from a one-day state observance to a nationally recognized monthly celebration. While most of us in the music education field would like our subject to be respected and recognized 12 months out of the year, the month of March is a huge step towards stronger music advocacy and recognition of the benefits and necessity of music and the arts.

What can you do to promote Music In Our Schools Month? Here are a few ideas:

I like to do a music trivia contest in the morning at my schools. I get on the intercom and ask a music trivia question, such as "What is the only woodwind made of brass?", or "What did Benny Goodman call his clarinet?". I set up some scrap paper, a few pencils, and an answer box in the cafeteria so after the kids eat, they can answer the questions. They have to write their names, grade, teacher's name, and answer. The winner is drawn after last lunch shift. If you're not available to do that, perhaps someone could bring in the box to you or draw the name. The winner is the first name drawn with the correct answer, and should be announced over the loudspeaker. I usually reward the winner with a soda.

Music Educators National Conference sponsors The World's Largest Concert, this year televised on March 11. See if you can get your principal or technology head to set up a satellite system so the school, or at least selected grades, can watch the show together. The idea is to have music students from across the United States singing at the same time, thus, the World's Largest Concert! If you're not able to do this, videotape the concert and have your own large sing-along. MENC provides a teachers' guide for this concert.

Get your district music teachers together. Have articles submitted to local papers, local radio stations, any media that comes to mind. Often, in small towns, local businesses will have marquee signs. Inquire about that. Have students sing for local community functions, senior citizen's homes, or at other places that will give recognition to your program.

Organize an exchange concert with another music teacher, either within your district or from another district. This gives your kids the opportunity to see what goes on at other schools, and might give you some great ideas yourself!

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