Alisha Reeve MUSE 356 - Choral Methods Citation 5: Sending the Right Message Brian Anderson December 1995

Discussion It is not new to me that the Arts are often being cut from schools across the country. With such emphasis on test scores, there seems to be little room for music in many schools. Many programs are experiencing budget cuts, or downsizes, or even the loss of educators. Many choral programs are being taken over by Instrumental Educators so that schools will only have to pay one person. In the face of these trying times for music education it is important that teachers have the skills necessary to articulate why music is of such vital importance in our schools. Music Educators in todays world have to be more than just a director. They have to teach reading, writing, and math. They have to have great communication skills. They must be able to reach out the community for help. They must be willing to fight for their programs. Parents can often be of much help. Choral Directors must know when to accept help. But most especially they must know how to make their program such an integral part of their community that no one can imagine the school without it. It will be my job to put all of the skills and knowledge I have amassed to use and advocate for music education in our schools. I must have the skills necessary to build a program so that it becomes indispensible.