With an investment of $50,500 from Country Music Association (CMA) Foundation and Music Has Value, two nonprofit organizations that support music education, as well as $25,000 from the district’s own budget, Tennessee’s Tullahoma City Schools received new instruments — 278 — for every music need of every grade in the district, according to K-12 Dive.
Acoustic guitars, portable keyboards, ukuleles, double French horns were among the instruments.
A digitized music inventory system and training to music teachers on best practices for working with English learners and students with disabilities is part of the effort to make fine arts more than just going to music class.
The CMA Foundation’s partnership with Tullahoma doesn’t end with the grant and delivery of instruments. The partnership continues as the district commits to sustaining the maintenance and inventory of the new instruments with CMA Foundation’s guidance.
CMA Foundation’s mission is to support all students through the arts. The idea is not to buy some instruments, drop them off at a school and hope that they figure it out. The ultimate CMA goal is that a school community understands and appreciates music education.
A study analyzing Tennessee’s music education needs revealed that participation in arts and music improved literacy and math performance and led to higher attendance rates.
The study also found systemic barriers to sequential music and arts education. They included:
- Course prerequisites
- Auditions
- Before or after-school attendance
- Fees
- Commitments students need to make for effective engagement
- Music participation fees and equipment expenses can average about $250 per student, the study said.
The relationship between the district and foundation analyzes a school’s music course offerings, chronic absenteeism, teacher capacity, feeder school patterns and existing music equipment.
Often, the foundation finds that a lack of instruments is not the problem but that scheduling conflicts hamper access to music education.
The CMA Foundation’s Music Teachers of Excellence program, which recognizes and rewards outstanding music educators, has boosted the morale of teachers and has enhanced the quality of music instruction to students.
Districts looking for potential partners should find organizations that have a vested interest in the community and a track record of supporting education. Collaborate closely with partners to understand the specific needs of your district and develop targeted initiatives that address those needs.
K-12 Dive
