Day 94: March is Music In Our Schools Month

Music programs nationwide are in danger. State and local legislators are attempting to make up for funding shortfalls in this difficult economy by cutting education budgets, which can place school music at risk. Advocacy takes place on many fronts, and advocates for music education need to learn to speak to different audiences, each of whom has a key contribution to make. Now’s the time to get involved and do your part to ensure that America’s students have access to a comprehensive, sequential music education taught by exemplary music educators!

There is a yearly theme, for this year the slogan is "Music Lasts A Lifetime." Participating schools and related organizations have various activities and concerts held in different venues. These activities help showcase the talents of students together with their teachers and band directors.

The goal of this event is to stress the importance of quality music education in our schools and to enlist the support of teachers, students, parents, members of the community, organizations and individuals to become advocates of music education.

The KCVI Music Education Charities were created by the Kansas City Vocal Institute to provide free music education to the underprivileged children of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. They want to provide these children and families with music training, competition opportunities, performance opportunities, access to instruments, and other instruction to help further their music education. They also help charities and businesses provide scholarships and lessons for the underprivileged children of Kansas City, so that they may be able to participate in other fine arts programs.

The Kansas City Metropolitan Area is home to almost 2.1 million people.  About 17% live in poverty, which is just over 350,000 people.  That is larger than the entire population of Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, or New Orleans.  Johnson County, KS may be one of the most affluent places in the country, but the inner-city areas of Kansas City, KS and Kansas City, MO are not as fortunate. Children who grow up in these neighborhoods do not lack opportunities for music lessons, as Kansas City is one of the most musically vibrant places in the US; rather, many cannot afford them. Lessons are expensive and may require instruments and traveling to studio locations.  So, Music Education Charities helps set studio locations at area schools and community centers, provide children with full scholarships for lessons, and help provide them with any other needs to further their music education including performing opportunities, contests, and access to instruments.

Donation: $5

To support Music Education Charities, please visit:  http://www.musicedcharities.org/