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Thread: Ways to Help Struggling Public School Budgets

  1. #1

    Ways to Help Struggling Public School Budgets

    I was lucky enough to grow up in Davenport, Iowa. During the years I was in high school, every student in the band program got a weekly music lesson in school from either a woodwind, brass, or percussion specialist. I received good lessons and entered college with a good foundation in musicianship and fundamentals of technique. This was especially fortunate for me, because my family could not afford private lessons. That school program actually continued until a few years ago, when the budget battles finally took it out.

    Public school systems all over the country have been struggling for years with really, really tough budget situations. Even in the well-off suburb where I now live, the school music programs have suffered cuts that put in crimp in the opportunities (or eliminated them). It was encouraging to read the following article about the "Beatles Project" helping public schools with some much-needed money:

    http://www.startribune.com/local/north/117495493.html

    My question for the forum is: can you name other programs like this? I'm sure there are other private programs that could help the school music outlook. Perhaps it would be good to discuss them here so we could all support the organizations providing them. And maybe some of the more adventurous readers could even encourage other such programs to be formed.

    Dave Werden (ASCAP)
    Euphonium Soloist, U.S. Coast Guard Band, retired
    Adams Artist (Adams E3)
    Alliance Mouthpiece (DC3)
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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Minneapolis, MN
    Posts
    178

    Ways to Help Struggling Public School Budgets

    I think that a lot of smaller school systems fall into this category even before cuts. I learned music through band immersion from my school. I learned C, D, F, E, G, and A from a trumpet book before being thrown into the mix and continued without the additional benefits of lessons which was in stark contrast to most others in college. I was admittedly envious. I agree that any benefit shown to those supporting these programs is a great idea. They're needed.

    Relationships with other music organizations can be a benefit as well. Keeping with the Minnesota theme, Edina High School has had very valuable partnerships including the Minnesota Orchestra that's been in place for 30+ years (started by awesome, awesome Iowa grads).

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