We are working hard to
advocate music education program everywhere. Check our 'links' page for
specific sites which may be of interest.
Current Issue:
Letter to Duke Cunningham (8/18/2004)
Dear Congressman Cunningham,
As a constituent of yours, I am writing to
ask your help with an issue of great importance to those of us working in music
education and concerned about the future of arts education in America. MENC:
The National Association for Music Education
has
submitted a $100,000 "Music for All" appropriation request to Congress
through Senator Arlen Specter's office for support of music teachers serving the
needs of America's schoolchildren. I ask that you support this request on behalf
of the teachers, students, and citizens of your district during the Omnibus
Appropriations Conference negotiations.
This "Music for All"
appropriation focuses on the recruitment and retention of music teachers through
mentoring, technology, and other programs. Skills learned in music classes can
be transferred to other disciplines, such as math, science, and reading. In all
this and more, music teachers contribute to the lives of children across America
every day.
Unfortunately, each year half as many music
teachers graduate from colleges than are needed; almost half of those music
teachers leave the profession within their first years of teaching. Because of
this, many of our nation's 54 million school children are being denied an
adequate, if any, music education--including those whom you represent.
I thank you for your support of MENC's
$100,000 "Music for All" appropriation request and ask you to contact
Chairman Regula and urge his support for it as well.
His Response:
Dear Mr. Hyatt:
Thank you for contacting me regarding your
support for music education. It is a pleasure to hear from you on this issue.
You will be pleased to know that I am an
advocate of music education and believe it is an essential component of a
quality education and should be made available to all children in public
schools. Research is demonstrating an unmistakable link between music learning
and academic achievement. Schools that have music programs have experienced
dramatic results in student performance in all subjects and improved attendance
records. I appreciate learning of your mutual interest in the "Music for
All" project, and want you to know that I am also working to fund a music
education project that will specifically serve the San Diego community. I will
continue my work in Congress to increase access for students to music education.
Thanks again for taking the time to contact
me. It is truly an honor to serve as your congressman. I look forward to hearing
from you again.
