Submitted article
In an effort to promote the many benefits of the arts in the Bucyrus City Schools, the Elementary music department celebrated “Music In Our Schools Month” throughout March. The National Association for Music Education officially designated the month for this program because early spring is the time of year when music education becomes the focus of schools across the United States.
Throughout the month at BES, students and staff participated in a variety of activities. One example was a “Did you know” about staff members and their musical talents. For instance, did you know that Mr. Tinnermeier was a singer in a band that toured Brisbane, Australia? Did you know that Ms. Sutter once sang at the United Nations? Did you know that Mrs. Barger was in the Cleveland Orchestra Children’s Chorus and Youth Chorus?
“I asked the staff to fill in the blank for the question, ‘Did you know’, about their music talents and abilities,” Elementary music specialist Sarah Martin said. “I was able to collect so many responses that I made posters that hung throughout the building during the entire month of March. We also utilized the responses during the morning announcements as a way to keep students engaged in the activities.”
Students were involved through in-class activities. One example was students had to use the theme “Music makes me…” and they filled in the blank. Students’ answers included: joyful, happy, peaceful, excited and emotional.
“This was a really fun activity for the students,” Martin said. “Some classes sang their answers to me, while others chose to write a paper and draw a picture depicting what they wrote.”
The purpose of Music In Our Schools Month (MIOSM) is to raise awareness of the importance of music education for all children – and to remind citizens that school is where all children should have access to music. MIOSM is an opportunity for music teachers to bring their music programs to the attention of the school and the community and to display the benefits school music brings to students of all ages.
“So often in the world of education, music classes in school have to be justified by their positive effects on other areas of schooling. For example, ‘recent studies show that students who study the arts are more successful on standardized tests such as the SAT,’” Martin said. “While this example is true, I am a proponent of ‘music for music’s sake.’ Music is important and is a viable entity on its own without having to justify it or prove its worth. We have music classes in school because music is just as important as anything else we teach.
Throughout the entire district, the importance of music in the overall education of students is something district leadership takes very seriously.
“The Bucyrus City School District is committed to providing our students with a variety of vocal and instrumental music opportunities from early elementary through high school,” Superintendent Kevin Kimmel said. “The Board of Education, administration, and staff are keenly aware of the many benefits that music has on student achievement, and are committed to ensuring we have music programs for all our of students in the future.”
For more information about Music in Our Schools Month, or the Elementary music program, contact Martin at 419-562-6089 or email smartin@bucyrusschools.org.