I don’t think I need to tell you how passionate Viva Musica is about keeping music and art in schools. It is the very reason the organization was founded, and is the reason year after year you all keep supporting us. However, once in awhile we receive something that really reminds us of why we do what we do.
A few months ago, Corina Miller recieved the 2011 grant proceeds. Corina is the only music teacher at Richard R. Green Central Park in South Minneapolis, which is a school serving K-8th grade children. Corina sent us a beautiful, touching letter to thank us for the donation. We know that this wouldn’t have been possible without all of our wonderful supporters, and we wanted to share this letter with you.
First of all, I want to thank Viva Musica – and their founder, Erin Belanger for this fantastic event and generous gift they gave the students at my school, Richard R. Green Central Park in South Minneapolis!
I have been teaching at this school for 20 years…when I began teaching, my school offered Art, Band and Vocal/Classroom Music-3 fulltime teachers. However, through the years, our nation’s schools have changed. There isn’t one public school
in America who hasn’t felt the stress level of mandated testing and huge budget cuts. As a result of this, one of the first items cut from school budgets are usually the Arts!
So now, 20 years later my school, which started with 3 teachers teaching the Arts, is now down to one. I am the only Arts teacher in my building…teaching Vocal/Classroom Music to students from the High 5/pre-school age thru 8thgrade. Being the only Music teacher to almost 600 students is an extreme challenge. I need to somehow connect Music to all of them! This isn’t just a one-school story…there are many schools in my district and throughout the state who are under the same demands. Sadly, I have heard from at least 5 other schools this week who have stated that their Arts programs are going to be cut from their school budget. How can we keep this from happening?
The Arts – whether it’s Band, Vocal Music or Visual Arts – can connect with everyone. There isn’t one culture around this world that doesn’t have the arts! You cannot go through one day without hearing music or seeing art. I have heard from people over and over again, who have said that if it wasn’t for band, music or art…they would have never made it through their school day.
So…we need to continue teaching the arts! Or…one day very soon – the only people able to perform music or become artists will be the people who can afford to hire teachers to teach them.
At my school – 96% of my students qualify for free lunch programs – and paying for these activities would not be something their families could afford. I am one of their connections to the Arts, and now, because of Viva Musica – YOU are also connected to these students. You are now a part of their exposure to the Arts!
With this grant, the students at Green Central have received a variety of 32 percussion instruments – with a focus on world drums! We haven’t had money in our budget for at least 15 years to purchase new instruments – so we were in desperate need of new equipment.
These instruments are especially sized for the younger students – pre-school thru 2nd grade. It is during these beginning music classes that students can use the drums to feel tempo, read music rhythms, keep a steady beat and play drum patterns with songs we are singing. There are many studies that show when younger students play instruments they improve their memory skills, speech sounds and improve their verbal learning.
In addition, drumming is also something that all of my students can do from day one…regardless of what language they speak or what academic level they are at. Now, with all of these drums…all of my students can play at the same time and can
be successful. We are a community – making music all together – everyone included!
I cannot tell you how excited the students were this week – all of my younger students have already had an opportunity to play on these instruments – and they are so proud of what they can already play on these drums. Their faces just beaming!
We will use them every week. These are few of the percussion instruments we received. . .(demonstrate)
I need to thank you again for this wonderful gift! How are we going to keep the Arts in our schools? It is through organizations like this -Viva Musica! Hopefully, one day…we will not have to worry about funding the Arts in our schools – but for now, it is groups like Viva Musica who can help us with the budget crisis we are face everyday in the Arts education!
I leave you tonight with saying I found over 20 years ago when I began teaching…
it reminds me of what impact we make to the children in our Arts programs –
“Long after the toys are gone…the gift of Music still remains.”
