Advocacy ideas for your music program
Students are learning so much in your music room.
Now it’s time to generate excitement for music education among parents, administrators, other teachers, and anyone else who will listen.
Here are some ideas to try:
Curriculum Night
School curriculum nights are a great opportunity to share highlights of your music curriculum with families.
If time is not allotted for you to speak, consider having a brief brochure available for families. Be present during these beginning-of-the-year family nights and talk informally with students and parents. Buy-in in your class and your program is strenghthned when the community knows and likes the music teacher.
Plan an informance or singing games night
I host a 1st Grade Singing Games and Play Parties Night every fall. Families are invited to the school gym and the 1st graders help teach their families some of the singing games we play in music. It's an active night of playful fun and it gives me the opportunity to share bits of my music curriculum and why we are learning the songs.
Student performances
Be visible (and audible!) Find events for your performing groups or classes to perform.
School newsletters
If your school provides a school newsletter, ask to include a “From the Music Room” column where you can share the wonderful things happening in the music room. Not enough room in the newsletter for a column dedicated to music? Request a one sentence “music matters” fact.
“Open-door” policy
Communicate with parents early in the school year that they are welcome to observe music classes. Better yet, welcome them to participate!
Celebrate Music in the Community
Invite parents and community members to play for classes.
Make sure your class reciprocates by performing for your guest musicians.
Now it’s time to generate excitement for music education among parents, administrators, other teachers, and anyone else who will listen.
Here are some ideas to try:
Curriculum Night
School curriculum nights are a great opportunity to share highlights of your music curriculum with families.
If time is not allotted for you to speak, consider having a brief brochure available for families. Be present during these beginning-of-the-year family nights and talk informally with students and parents. Buy-in in your class and your program is strenghthned when the community knows and likes the music teacher.
Plan an informance or singing games night
I host a 1st Grade Singing Games and Play Parties Night every fall. Families are invited to the school gym and the 1st graders help teach their families some of the singing games we play in music. It's an active night of playful fun and it gives me the opportunity to share bits of my music curriculum and why we are learning the songs.
Student performances
Be visible (and audible!) Find events for your performing groups or classes to perform.
- School board meetings
- PTA meeting
- school activities night
- Kindergarten, 5th or 6th grade graduation
- other classes/grade levels (study buddies)
- Community events
School newsletters
If your school provides a school newsletter, ask to include a “From the Music Room” column where you can share the wonderful things happening in the music room. Not enough room in the newsletter for a column dedicated to music? Request a one sentence “music matters” fact.
“Open-door” policy
Communicate with parents early in the school year that they are welcome to observe music classes. Better yet, welcome them to participate!
Celebrate Music in the Community
Invite parents and community members to play for classes.
Make sure your class reciprocates by performing for your guest musicians.