Here's to you, Local Educators!

So last time I told you about Silly Bus, which is more based on the toddlers years to pre-kindergarten. So what about the children entering elementary? Ever since the economy took a plunge, so have the programs in elementary schools. One of the curriculum programs that took the hit was the music program. This left teachers who love music out of a job and kids who will never get the chance to experience school plays/musicals like some us did growing up. On the not so serious side about it, they'll never be embarrassed by they're parents as they come right up to you and snap pictures like my mom did. But back to the seriousness of music education, "apparently because students tend to enjoy music and feel a sense of accomplishment when they become proficient on a musical instruments and with ensemble performances; and perhaps with gaining the people skills necessary to collaborate in a group performance." (Catterall, James S. PBSTavis Smiley. 2011. Web.) You can find out more about this at http://www.pbs.org/wnet/tavissmiley/tsr/dudamel-conducting-a-life/the-consequences-of-curtailing-music-education/.

Youth Orchestra LA at Heart of Los Angeles

 Are parents finding other alternatives for their children to learn music or are they just letting them go by the waste side because maybe they think, it's really not a big deal. Well for anyone who thinks some type of musical education is not a big deal, tell them to come read my blog. Let's hope I can change their mind.

For one elementary school here in Chicago, Audubon Elementary they still have a music program. The only reason why I know this is because that's where I had to go vote for our Presidential Election. The way I found out about their music class is because it wasn't even in the school building, it was around the back side of the building in a small little trailer made shack. I felt bad and a bit ashamed for the teacher and kids who have to come out in the bad weather to get to their music class. But hey, at least they still have it, right? So good for them.

Dozens of schools here in Chicago lack music programs, not only here in Chicago but nationwide. I came across an archive from Oregon and in one year in Portland, Oregon's public schools had to eliminate 12 music teaching position and another school district got rid of their small orchestra program. In a previous year another district had a school that had a strings program that they had to take away from 5th graders.

Here in Chicago, there are several programs and that tend to the children who do not have a music program during school. So they go after school to The People's Music School. This is a free music school and the only one in the United States. This is an after-school music education program available to children throughout CPS (Chicago Public Schools). The school teaches music theory and and instrument classes taught by music educators and professional musicians on instruments like the piano to guitar and voice lessons to the tuba. Below is Rita Simo, the founder of The People's Music School. Take a listen and see how she got started.

Another after-school program designed to give students direct access to music education is P.A.U.S.E. brought to the children by George S. May Foundation for the Arts. Just like People's Music School, the kids here learn to read music and play instruments. "The goal is to expand to inner-city schools nationwide."(abc7. ABC Inc. 2013. Web.) The principal at Manuel Perez Jr. Elementary states, "Our students are very eager to learn about music in all forms."

Other programs include School of Rock, Girls Rock and Old Town School of Folk Music. With the help of all these music programs that tend to kids outside the classroom, they can then go online and find ways to write or make their own music. I'll tell you more about some of the music media out there later on this week.
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Until then, if you happen to know a music teacher go thank them and let them know you support their teaching programs. They help build growing minds, in the sense that kids need music understanding in their lives to grow in this world.