“ Music brings out the life in me. ” Ingrid T., Grade 4 student, Vancouver, B.C.

1. “Music brings out the life in me.” Ingrid T., Grade 4 student, Vancouver, B.C.

2. Coalition for Music Education in Canada • Who we are • What we stand for • What we do • How you can help

3. Who we are • Formed in 1992 • Volunteer Board of Directors from across Canada • Membership across the country & beyond representing educators, industry representatives, artists and performers, parents and music lovers.

4. Our Mission To raise the awareness and understanding of the role that music education plays in Canadian culture, and to promote the benefits that music education brings to young people.

5. Our Vision We envision Canada as a country where the lives of all children are enriched by quality school music programs, and where their active participation in music is valued and supported in our communities.

6. Our Aims • To protect, develop and promote the role of music in education • To support music education that reflects our cultural diversity • To support the role of teachers of music in education • To establish a national network that provides support to parents, local advocacy and music education organizations

7. Our Aims • To accumulate information and statistics on all pertinent aspects of music education in Canada • To research and distribute appropriate resource/support materials • To promote life-long participation and engagement in music • To support the use of active music-making in therapeutics

8. Why the Coalition • The benefits of music education to our children, our culture and our society are proven • The delivery of quality music education across the country is inconsistent • At best, quality programs continue to fight for their survival • At worst, they simply don’t exist

9. Why learn music in school?

10. Quality music education enhances academic achievement • Music programs improve the atmosphere for learning • Music programs help students achieve in other academic subjects like math, science, and reading

11. Quality music education encourages academic achievement “Music enhances the process of learning. The systems they nourish, which include our integrated sensory, attention, cognitive, emotional and motor capacities, are shown to be the driving forces behind all other learning.” Konrad, R.R., Empathy, Arts and Social Studies, 2000 “Music involves perception, memory, emotion, motor control, all the learning aspects. It brings together a lot of different functions in a very coherent way.” Robert Zatorre, McGill University, Montreal, QC 2002

12. Quality music education encourages healthy social development • Music programs keep students engaged in school and less likely to drop out • Music programs help communities share ideas and values among cultures and generations • Music is a disciplined human endeavor with intrinsic value to society

13. Quality music education encourages healthy social development “With music in schools, students connect to each other better, greater camaraderie, fewer fights less racism and reduced use of hurtful sarcasm.” Eric Jensen, Arts with the Brain in Mind, 2001 “For some children music class is one time during the week when they are confident they will shine through. The music program is also a vital part in creating community and fostering cooperation.” Music educator, from the Coalition for Music Education in Canada, Music Education “State of the Nation” Benchmark Study, May 2005

14. Quality music education enhances preparation for the workplace • Music develops skills needed by the 21st century workplace • Critical and analytical thinking • Creative problem solving • Effective communication

15. Quality music education enhances preparation for the workplace “Creative and cultural development is a basic function of education, not a separate subject. They are completely compatible with high standards of literacy and they are equally, not less, important.” Sir Ken Robinson “Participating in the arts helps people develop their creativity. Creativity involves imagination and the ability to visualize. ‘Seeing’ situations as they might be in the future is a valuable tool for solving problems and changing situations.” Voluntary Arts Network, 2005

16. Quality music education enhances the quality of a young person’s life Music programs provide students with the opportunity to: • express themselves in verbal and non-verbal ways; • appreciate diverse perspectives, openness and flexibility in thinking; • develop a high level of self-awareness and self-confidence; • take risks and solve problems creatively; • embrace a variety of unique ways to gain insights about cultural and historical issues; • develop a rich and healthy sense of beauty and imagination.

17. Quality music education enhances the quality of a young person’s life “With music, I feel complete. It reminds me that humans possess genius and can use it to create beauty. Music classes in our schools can unlock the doors to creativity and self expression for Canada’s young people and help them expand their horizons.” Dr. Marc Garneau, former head of the Canadian Space Agency and the first Canadian astronaut in space, 2006 “Music education demonstrably improves academic achievement, behaviour and attitude. Through music kids learn how to have constructive relationships with other people, how focus counts,how application produces results, how to dream and most of all, how to feel true joy.” Bob Ezrin, legendary producer 2004 Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee

18. What does the Coalition do?

19. Advocacy • Support materials for teachers, parents, and other education stakeholders • Government relations • Participates in conferences • Building partnerships with provincial, national and international organizations including - CMEA, CMIEC, CBA, MIAC, CARAS, NAC, NAMM, CCA and others

20. Research • Collection and dissemination of relevant and current articles and studies • First- ever State of the Nation study 2005 • A Delicate Balance study released in November2010 • News posts, articles, relevant links on website

21. Resources • Bilingual website • Advocacy materials – brochures, booklets, posters • Curriculum guidelines • Online, secure orders for DVDs and other Coalition materials

22. Sample materials

23. Sample materials

24. Website

25. Music Monday Website

26. Public Awareness • Champions for Music Education • Holiday Tuba Festival • National Effort • Music Monday • Principals of Music Education Award

27. Our Champions for Music Education

29. Holiday Tuba Festival • Annual Canada-wide “Holiday Tuba Festival” features festive tunes specially arranged for tubas, baritones and euphoniums

30. Music Monday • National celebration of music education on the first Monday of May every year • Schools and communities join together to perform the same piece of music at same time

31. What can you do? • Become a donor and support our work • Become a music education advocate in your community • Promote public awareness of the importance of music education

32. What can you do? • Talk to school administrators and help them make informed decisions • Write to your principal, your trustee, your board and provincial representatives

33. The Coalition is here to help you • Help us advocate for quality music programs in our schools with a donation • Peruse the Coalition website for research, articles and more • Order or download Coalition brochures and guidelines (all of which are free) • Participate in advocacy events like Music Monday organized by the Coalition on the first Monday in May each year.

34. www.musicmakesus.ca Your support helps us continue to do the important work to protect and promote quality music programs in our schools.