6 ways to support music in your school


Did you know that student artists—musicians, singers and otherwise—perform better in class and on standardized tests? The arts are an essential part of not just our education but our lives. They enrich, they build community and they help us discover ourselves.

But the arts are disappearing. In some school districts, music classes and extra-curriculars are the first “nonessential” programs eliminated when the budget needs to be cut. If you don’t wanna give up band or orchestra or chorus or musicals or concerts or any of that stuff, it’s time to stand up and take action. We’ve got half a dozen ways for you to support music in your school, and in schools across America.

Purchase indie music. Half of the proceeds of Clorox’s $6 charity collection CD titled The Blue Sky Project go to Music in Schools Today. You can also purchase Local Scene 6, an eclectic collection of up-and-coming bands from Northern California.

Host a battle of the bands. Got any local, student or faculty bands looking for a li’l stage time? Set up a battle of the bands, during which attendees choose the winners by ballot (or applause) and admissions fees go to charity.

Burn a CD. Who says you have to wait for a record deal to get your music out there? Connect with talented instrumentalists at your school as well as other singers, find an advisor and go about writing and recording your own songs (or covers of popular hits, though you’ll probably need permission to do so). Sell copies school events and local stores.

Wear your music. Grab a trendy recycled guitar string bracelet for a friend’s birthday, and pick up another one for yourself. Most are under $10 and a percentage of the profits are donated to charities that support the arts. Visit wearyourmusic.org for more information.

Form a glee club. Singing has gone way-cool, thanks to hit TV show Glee. Take some inspiration from Rachel and the gang and turn your band of Gleeks into a bonafide club. Take your act from the halls to hot spots around town—coffee houses, cafes, parks. Your performances will bring recognition and enthusiasm. And they’ll be a whole lot of fun, too.

Support your student musicians and performers. If more students participate, whether it comes in the form of playing an instrument, singing, setting up an impromptu performance or applauding in the audience, administrators will realize the importance of music within their school’s community, and be much more willing to fight for programs students care about and desperately need. 

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by Brittany Taylor | 2/1/2016
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