RESONATE: Youth Voices for Music Education

Latest letter to the VSB

Dear Trustees, Mr. Robinson and Ms. Brennan, (Donna- can you kindly be sure that the Superintendent actually sees this email?)

The Coalition for Music Education in BC was stunned to see, that even after the VSB received a small amount of additional funding from the Province, the district administration has not proposed to reinstate the band and strings program.

It is beyond our understanding how you are making a CHOICE to destroy music education in your elementary schools, how you are making a CHOICE to take instruments out of the hands of students, and how you have made a CHOICE over the past several years to do absolutely nothing of value or merit to try and find a sustainable solution for this highly valued program.

The one shining moment was when you hired Val Overgaard who created a lucid report with real solutions, but you chose to do nothing with these recommendations.

This year, you conducted a flawed survey regarding a user pay model that has received nothing but criticism and did not provide any helpful or valid information about whether there is a community appetite for this model. That survey was all kinds of wrong: the questions were leading, some of the most supportive and vocal schools were left off the online drop down list so parents actually couldn't participate, you left people no time to complete it, and the program was given no supportive context. You have effectively destroyed the band and strings program using the survey results and pitted it to a lack of interest from the community. If you think people haven't noticed that, guess again!

Time and time again, you deal with this program at the last minute, when a creative and sustainable solution cannot possibly emerge. This program has been on the chopping block for 7 years, and never has anyone from the VSB taken any measures or made any commitment to actually fixing it. At least, none of these efforts have been made public if you have made the attempt.

You are left with a community of incredibly frustrated parents, students, teachers, and voters. There is not one other district in Greater Vancouver killing their music programs. I am convinced at this point that you have no understanding of the value of this program. Hundreds, if not thousands, of people have explained the value, but you don't listen. You blame the funding, which obviously is a challenge, but the real problem here is that you find no way around the challenge. It doesn't matter whether you personally share those values, but it's your job as trustees and district leaders to provide the absolute best education possible to your students. Denying them the opportunity to play and learn music from specialist teachers is a disgrace. Students can learn math and science and just about all other subjects from generalist teachers. They CANNOT learn music this way. An even bigger disgrace is that you ignore powerful advocacy and attempt to convince advocates that you are fulfilling your requirements in music education. We are sick and tired of the lip service and self-serving claims that you are meeting the mark. You're not meeting the mark and you're not doing anything to fix it.

What a terrible shame that you have spent almost $500,000 of this revised proposal on office staff rather than trained teachers who are required to deliver a music program.

What I'd like to know now is what efforts will be taken to allow elementary students to learn an instrument? What other solutions are you exploring besides telling everyone that it's over, and they'll have to wait until high school? Not only is this decision an enormous insult to the elementary music programs, but it's an equally enormous insult to the secondary programs and teachers who will be left with students 2-3 years behind what they're capable of in their musical training.

Shame on this decision and all who have made it. We live in one of the richest cities in the world, yet our kids can't learn to play an instrument because our educational leaders cannot figure out how to make that possible. Christy Clark is not the only person to blame. It's about time the VSB stops playing the victim and starts getting some work done.

Christin Reardon MacLellan

Updated VSB Budget Proposal

Response from VSB Regarding Elimination of Elementary Band and Strings Programs

Below you will find the response from the VSB to an email sent from the CMEBC regarding the Elementary Band and Strings Program:

On Monday, April 25^th, you sent an email to the Vancouver Board of Trustees, outlining your concerns with the proposed elimination of the optional Elementary Band and Strings programs in 44 of our elementary schools.  You also expressed concerns with “the state of elementary music education overall in the VSB, including the band and strings program.”  You had two specific questions that you asked be answered.  Staff have provided the answers to those questions below.

Do you have evidence-based documentation that EVERY student in EVERY elementary school is receiving a quality music education from K-7, and how have you measured this?

Other than report cards, there is no district level mechanism that documents whether or not every student receives music instruction, just as there is not that type of district documentation for any other subject area. What does exist is the BC Ministry of Education’s requirements for curriculum instruction (example: Grade 2 Arts Education curriculum document: https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/curriculum/arts-education/2), as well as the Ministerial Order for Areas of Instruction which states:

Required Areas Of Study In An Educational Program Order

Each school year a board must offer to all students in kindergarten to grade 7, an educational program that meets all the learning outcomes set out in the applicable educational program guide in

(a) Language Arts

(b) Social Studies,

(c) Mathematics,

(d) Science,

(e) Physical Education,

(f) Fine Arts/Arts Education (Dance, Drama, Music and Visual Arts),

(g) Health and Career Education, and

(h) Daily Physical Activity

There is also the Ministry of Education Reporting Order, which states:

With respect to reporting in Fine Arts, the student progress report must, in relation to the expected learning outcomes set out in the curriculum, include reporting, at least once during the school year, in each of the following specific areas of the curriculum:

(a)  dance,  (b)  drama, (c)  music, and (d)  visual arts.

In addition, teachers are asked to have and share overviews of their year’s teaching plans with their school administrator and parents.  These overviews help to ensure that all subject areas are taught and the concepts covered in a deliberate and thoughtful manner.

It should also be noted that Dr. Overgaard’s 2014-15 survey of Vancouver schools, referred to in the same April 25 email from CMEBC, outlines that 58% of the 77 K-7 schools have trained music specialist in their schools.  Another 18% of these same schools have Music specialists as classroom teachers who teach Music in other teachers’ classes as well as their own.  71% of the schools surveyed rated their Music programs as “good” to “excellent”.

Do you have evidence-based documentation that the generalist teachers responsible for teaching music are capable and comfortable teaching music?

Again, there is no district mechanism to verify that teachers are capable of teaching a specific subject area at the elementary level when they are hired to teach in a regular classroom position.  It is assumed that after having successfully completed the coursework and practica required by University Teacher Education programs, these classroom teachers are ready and able to teach all subject areas at their grade level. When teacher evaluations are conducted, the evaluator (usually the school administrator) will observe the teacher teaching a variety of lessons, and Music can be one of the subject areas observed.

For those teachers who feel that they need additional support in specific curricular areas, including Music, there are a variety of resources that they can access. Support for both Elementary Generalists and Music Specialist Teachers can take place in 4 ways:

·         Professional Development Opportunities on Pro D Days

·         Clinician classroom visits

·         Mentoring by a specialist from another school

·         Involvement with an external organization

Professional Development

Professional Development is the main type of support to music teachers.  Pro D Days are advertised on the website and alternate with support for elementary art and drama workshops.  The February Pro D Day is typically a “music day” with a variety of workshops, opportunities for learning, and keynote speakers.  Workshop titles include:

·         K – 3 Elementary Music: Music making with Song, Play and Movement

·         A Seasonal Celebration of Songs and Activities for Primary Teachers

·         Lifting Primary Voices in Song

·         4 -7 Elementary Music for Generalists: Creating Fun Music

·         Lessons for Intermediate Students

·         K- 7 Elementary Music for Everyone: Music and Movement

·         Music Matters Incorporated

·         Music, Movement and Mindfullness

·         Kodaly Workshop

·         Music, Movement and Mindful Awareness of Overall Musical Experience

·         Music Movement and the Mind

·         Singing Games for Intermediate Generalists

Clinician Classroom visits

Clinicians go to classrooms upon request of the teacher or principal.  Clinicians bring in their own resources or work with commercial resources

Mentoring by a Specialist Teacher From Another School

The mentor will work with the teacher’s class while the teacher is observing or the teacher will observe the mentor teaching his/her own class.  Resources are shared.

Involvement With an External Organization that Provides Support

This type of collaboration usually works on a cost sharing basis and the organization will provide clinicians/artists/programming that involves both the classroom students and teacher in learning.  However the number of schools is limited as only a few can be funded each year.

Examples of organizations that work with generalist teachers:

·         VSO Connects Program

·         Opera in the Schools Program

·         Sarah McLaughlan School of Music

·         UBC Faculty of Education

·         Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra

We appreciate your interest in and support for the Music Education programs in our schools and hope that this information will be helpful to you.

Sincerely,

Mike Lombardi

Chairperson

Fanfare A gathering to save Elementary Band & Strings in the Vancouver School Board

Fanfare

A gathering to save Elementary Band & Strings in the Vancouver School Board

When:        Tuesday, April 12, 2016 from 6pm-7pm. Please arrive at 5:50.

This is immediately prior to the board meeting where the public can offer input regarding the budget proposal.

Where:        Vancouver Tech Secondary- Meet in Penticton Street staff parking lot.

Who:       EVERYONE who wants to help save the Elementary Band & Strings program. Students, parents, concerned citizens.

What:       This is an opportunity to pool our resources and advocacy efforts in support of the Band & Strings program and elementary music education in the VSB. We hope to bring together as many people as possible to perform, advocate and make a statement to the VSB that our community values and insists upon quality music education for ALL students. The Coalition for Music Education in BC is helping to facilitate this event, as requested by parents and students. It is purposely not called a protest, but it is meant to be a statement celebration of a cause that is important to many.

How:       You may choose to perform with classmates and friends, or to carry a sign or poster for school board members and the public to see. We want to be visible and strong! Plan your performance ahead of time- bring instruments and music and bring your own posters (sample attached including “I’d Rather Play” logo). Music stands will be provided. If it rains, an indoor location will be announced upon arrival. We encourage everyone to stay for the following board meeting to support the many people who will be speaking for the Band & Strings program.

                  QUESTIONS: email info@cmebc.org. We are stronger together!

An Open Letter to the Vancouver School Board Regarding the 2016-2017 Proposed Budget Cuts

Dear Mr. Lombardi and the Vancouver Board of Education Trustees:
On behalf of the Coalition for Music Education in British Columbia, my name is Christin Reardon MacLellan, and I once again write on behalf of students, teachers, parents, community members, arts organizations and industry partners who are fiercely opposed to the proposed cuts to music education in this year’s budget proposal. We implore the VSB to remain committed to their 2014 promise of finding a long-term, sustainable solution for the Elementary Band and Strings program as well as an equitable approach to music education more broadly in the school district. We also implore you to retain the district’s Fine and Performing Arts Coordinator position.

The Coalition for Music Education in BC has closely followed the course of action concerning music education in the VSB in recent years. We have responded swiftly on a number of occasions and participated in consultation process during the 2014-2015 school year. All previous documentation of our correspondence can be found here: http://www.cmebc.org/blog.html.

Despite the powerful advocacy that has taken place in support of music education in the VSB, here we are again. This is the fifth time in the last seven years that music programs have been threatened. Regardless of advocacy efforts, stakeholder values, research, curriculum, and policy, we are presented with the same old story- the VSB can’t fund music education in elementary schools. We acknowledge the widely held belief that the province of BC underfunds education. The CMEBC understands the financial predicament facing school districts and is committed to advocating for increased music education funding across the province. This letter, however, focuses on the VSB’s choice to slash music programs again this year.

The value of music education is a topic that continuously gains merit, validity and traction. A growing body of research supports the benefits of music education on cognitive development, socio-emotional growth, and academic achievement. More than ever before, we have data that supports music’s transformative abilities on individual learning and development as well as on topics related to culture and society. In previous years, the CMEBC has shared with you specific benefits of learning music in an instrumental ensemble, including non-verbal communication, self-expression through an instrument, development of fine motor skills, positive social interactions, and participation in the creation of something bigger than oneself. Most importantly, as you well know, these benefits occur simultaneously in ensemble-based learning.

Surely, the Vancouver School Board understands the value of the Elementary Band and Strings program and its potential to thrive as part of a larger plan for music education in the district. As a direct result of the community’s 2014 advocacy efforts, the VSB hired a consultant (Dr. Valerie Overgaard) to explore sustainable solutions for the Elementary Band and Strings Program, as well as music education more broadly in the district. The consultant’s report documented the decline in music education in the VSB over the last ten years, explored how music education is offered in other Lower Mainland school districts, addressed consultations with stakeholders, and perhaps most importantly, concluded the following: “There is one point of consensus that arose in this process. Music education is not only important, it is essential….This includes band and strings, but extends more broadly to a general music education program taught by a music specialist.” The report suggested that “this process should be seen as a catalyst to enhance music education across the district.”

Yet, we find ourselves, a year later, right back where we started. It seems that the recommendations in this report and the initial steps taken to implement these recommendations have been abandoned, with the entire Elementary Band and Strings program once again up for elimination. We understand that schools have faced challenges with implementing new plans for this program, however we do not believe that ample time has been provided for schools to work through these challenges, nor has the district demonstrated an ongoing commitment to helping design and implement an equitable solution for elementary music education across the district.

The Vancouver School Board needs to adopt a district policy on music education that ties into its existing policy on arts education. The inequities within music education in the VSB are deplorable and they exist mostly in elementary schools. Only 58% of elementary schools have a music specialist teacher. Approximately 25% of elementary schools have neither a music specialist nor a band/strings teacher. In a recent survey, fewer than 50% of principals described their school’s music program as high quality. This is unacceptable. Furthermore, in many schools, the band and strings program is the ONLY music education offered.  So, cutting band and strings would mean cutting music completely in those schools. The VSB needs to fix elementary music education and the inconsistencies that exist from school to school. An effective model must be established for all schools and all students that includes general music taught by a music specialist as well as the opportunity for all students to participate in band and strings. It’s time to invest in the personnel and resources necessary to bring about change, rather than running from this problem and cutting programs. The perception in the community is that senior administration and the school board are more committed to the easy way out than to finding an educationally sound solution for elementary music education. The district needs an advocate from within and the time is now. Actually, the time was seven years ago, but we’re still waiting.

It is necessary for us to once again address the issue of music specialist teachers. Music cannot be taught by a generalist classroom teacher unless that person has extensive training in music and music education pedagogy. It is essential that teachers are literate in what they are teaching. Music learning involves skills and techniques that are learned over time and that require expert teaching. Placing music education in the hands of non-specialist teachers is a gross over simplification and dumbing down of music education. Music specialists are recognized by the BCTF and we encourage the VSB to require music taught by music specialists across the district. This model would not be a new concept. In 5 out of 9 Greater Vancouver school districts, there is a music specialist teacher PLUS a band or strings teacher in every school. We strongly urge the VSB to take the same leadership these other districts have taken by recognizing the importance of music education and choosing to protect it.

This year’s budget proposal also recommends the elimination of the district’s Fine and Performing Arts Coordinator. The CMEBC was devastated to see Peggy Bochun’s position up for elimination, as the direct impact on students is severe. Eliminating this position in addition to band and strings means that our students lose out twice. The Coordinator is the district’s lead liaison with the arts community. She is responsible for community partnerships with countless arts organizations, coordinates district festivals, fosters collaboration among the district’s fine and performing arts teachers, organizes PRO-D, and manages a large amount of grant funding. The loss of Peggy Bochun would be tremendous, and you won’t know what you’ve lost until she’s gone. The CMEBC cannot stress enough how fortunate the VSB is to have a professional like Peggy Bochun. She is not replaceable, and her position is not expendable.

The Coalition for Music Education in BC implores the VSB to remain committed to their promise of finding a long-term, sustainable solution for the Elementary Band and Strings program as well as an equitable approach to music education more broadly in the school district. We also implore you to retain the district’s Fine and Performing Arts Coordinator position. These proposed cuts are a quick move to erase two budget lines, but with serious consequences. As we have said before, it is time for the VSB to CHOOSE MUSIC EDUCATION the way so many other school districts have done. While we recognize that you are underfunded, I know that I speak for many stakeholders in saying that we are sick and tired of music as well as many other valuable programs and services being placed in the middle of your battle with the current Ministry of Education and provincial government. Cutting band and strings programs as well as the person who helps them thrive is a destructive decision when the school district is in desperate need of a complete overhaul of elementary music education. You are denying students of essential learning opportunities and denying the community of what it has advocated so passionately for.

A Call to Action

The Coalition for Music Education in BC urges parents, students, community members, and concerned citizens to make their voice heard in support of the elementary band and strings program in the VSB.

EVERY VOICE COUNTS and time is of the essence. The budget goes to vote on April 28.

Please consider the following:

1.    Write to Mike Lombardi, Chair of the Vancouver Board of Education Trustees, urging the board to retain the Elementary Band and Strings program and Fine and Performing Arts Consultant position, as well as to develop a district policy for music education that offers all students equitable access to music education taught by a specialist teacher. Email: mike.lombardi@vsb.bc.ca

2.       Attend and/or register to speak at the upcoming Public Consultation Budget Meetings on Tuesday, April 12 (or Thursday, April 14 if required) by emailing budget 
    2016-2017@vsb.bc.ca

3.       Follow the Coalition for Music Education in BC on Facebook and Twitter for updates and action items. www.facebook.com/cmebc; Twitter:@cmebc

4.       Share this information with your friends, families, and neighbours and encourage them to make their voices heard in support of school music education of our children.

Who we are: www.cmebc.org

The Coalition for Music Education in British Columbia Society (CMEBC) is a registered non-profit society made up of parents, students, educators, arts organizations, and supporters from across our communities whose mission is to protect, promote, and advance music education in British Columbia.
For questions or comments, please email president@cmebc.org

For Immediate Release: A Response & Call to Action regarding Vancouver School Board’s proposal to eliminate the Elementary Band and Strings program and Fine and Performing Arts Coordinator

The Coalition for Music Education in British Columbia strongly opposes the recommended elimination of the elementary band and strings program in Vancouver schools by the Vancouver School Board. We also strongly oppose the elimination of the district’s Fine and Performing Arts Coordinator position.

These recommended cuts in funding and programming by the VSB will eliminate the opportunity for thousands of Vancouver elementary students to learn to play a band or string instrument. The educational benefits gained from participation in a school band or string ensemble, taught by a qualified music specialist teacher, are not replaceable with any other means of instruction. In an ensemble, students learn and develop non-verbal communication, finite listening skills, self-expression through an instrument, fine motor skills, positive social interactions, and participation in the creation of something bigger than oneself. The study and practice involved in a music ensemble enhances the human spirit in a truly unique way.

The Fine and Performing Arts Coordinator is the district’s lead liaison with the arts community, responsible for many educational partnerships, district collaborations, and professional development. If the VSB is to meet the needs of a 21^st century education, community partnerships and professional development for teachers are vital components. Eliminating this position would have a severe impact on students.

The Coalition for Music Education in BC strongly urges the Vancouver Board of Education Trustees to amend their proposed budget, preserve funding for the elementary band and strings program and Fine and Performing Arts Coordinator, and commit to a more equitable approach to elementary music education across the school district. The fabric of our unique Canadian identity is directly tied to the rich experience in music education. The less we provide our students, the weaker our society becomes socially, emotionally, aesthetically and ethically.

 Read our open letter to the VSB Board of Education here: http://www.cmebc.org/blog.html

A Call to Action

 The Coalition for Music Education in BC urges parents, students, community members, and concerned citizens to make their voice heard in support of the elementary band and strings program in the VSB.

EVERY VOICE COUNTS and time is of the essence. The budget goes to vote on April 28.

Please consider the following:

1.    Write to Mike Lombardi, Chair of the Vancouver Board of Education Trustees, urging the board to retain the Elementary Band and Strings program and Fine and Performing Arts Consultant position, as well as to develop a district policy for music education that offers all students equitable access to music education taught by a specialist teacher. (sample letter attached) Email: mike.lombardi@vsb.bc.ca

2.       Attend and/or register to speak at the upcoming Public Consultation Budget Meetings on Tuesday, April 12 (or Thursday, April 14 if required) by emailing budget2016-2017@vsb.bc.ca.

3.       Follow the Coalition for Music Education in BC on Facebook and Twitter for updates and action items. www.facebook.com/cmebc; Twitter:@cmebc

4.       Share this information with your friends, families, and neighbours and encourage them to make their voices heard in support of school music education of our children.

Who we are: www.cmebc.org

The Coalition for Music Education in British Columbia Society (CMEBC) is a registered non-profit society made up of parents, students, educators, arts organizations, and supporters from across our communities whose mission is to protect, promote, and advance music education in British Columbia.

For questions or comments, please email president@cmebc.org

 

A Letter from Parents, Community Members and Concerned Citizens to the Vancouver Board of Education Trustees

[This letter can be tailored to reflect your own values, ideas, and views. It is suggested that you introduce yourself, whether you are writing as a parent or concerned community member, and include any other relevant personal details.]

 Dear Mr. Lombardi and the Vancouver Board of Education Trustees:

 I know you and your colleagues are facing a difficult series of financial decisions regarding the budget for our school district. When making these decisions, I urge you to understand that parents and community members in our school district place great value upon the elementary band and strings program.

 The recommended cuts in funding and programming by the VSB will eliminate the opportunity for thousands of Vancouver elementary students to learn to play a band or string instrument. This is not a sacrifice we are willing to make. Furthermore, your recommendation to eliminate music specialist teachers from our schools is alarming and upsetting.

 The opportunity to play in a school band or orchestra is incredibly valuable for our children. They learn to express themselves on an instrument and communicate with one another using the language of music- the only language understood by every human being. They learn an intricate set of intellectual, physical, and emotional skills that cannot be gained in the same amount of depth or significance without this incredible program. The fabric of our unique Canadian identity is directly tied to the rich experience in music education. The less we provide our students, the weaker our society becomes socially, emotionally, aesthetically and ethically.

 We also place great value on the district’s Fine and Performing Arts Coordinator position. The Coordinator is the district’s lead liaison with the arts community and is responsible for many educational partnerships, district collaborations, and professional development. Eliminating this position would have a severe impact on students.

 I ask that you do not take instruments out of the hands of our children, and that you withdraw your proposal to cut our elementary band and strings program and Fine and Performing Arts Coordinator position.

Sincerely,

(Your Name)