Are we doing enough?(Forum Focus: Arts Awareness and Advocacy)

Whenever I attend a conference, a recital, competition, festival ... wherever groups of young people are performing the music they have so industriously, prepared over many months ... I am impressed with their diligent, dedicated effort towards the accomplishment of an admirable goal. They thrill me with their exciting performances and re-establish my hope for the success of their future. However, images of these earnest young people, from beginners to those at the collegiate level, often with parents close at hand, is remarkably different than what is prevalently broadcast via the media. Mostly, the media portrays youths involved in gang violence, suicides, murders, drug abuse and other dangerous and illegal behavior. Due to my recent involvement with a non-music related project, I have become increasingly aware of the seriousness of the plight of many young people. In my research and discussions with lave enforcement individuals in the community, I realized that one of the greatest problems facing society today is crime that is caused by the breakdown of parental supervision of young people. The dean of students at a high school located in a pleasant, respectable neighborhood 15 minutes away from my so called "safest in southern California" community, reported that the school is "under siege" and was described by one of the teachers as a "hell hole." Everyday there are fights, usually racially incited, gangs roaming the campus, drugs and alcohol, prostitution rings, foul language towards teachers and general disrespect for everyone and everything. If students are suspended and sent home, there is usually no one there to supervise them. What does all of this have to do with the music education profession?

Making a Difference

Music educators can help counter this terrible condition of the "wasting away" of our young people. Granted, many of the youths we teach may not be involved in these despicable activities, yet so many of them are at home alone while their parents are at work and the temptation to do wrong can be very real for them. We all know that as music educators we are doing far more for our students than teaching them music. The one-on-one or small group relationship we have with our students allows us to influence them constructively, be a positive role model, teach them how to accomplish large tasks successfully, and establish and achieve realistic goals, develop responsibility and time management, and challenge their critical, creative and intuitive thinking skills. Often we become a confidant, one who is entrusted with their deepest secrets and concerns--all of this is obvious, something that goes with the job. There is more, far more that we can do to help.

We have the opportunity and the obligation to do all that we can to support the musical and personal growth and development of our students. Just as importantly, we should assume the responsibility to do what we can to assist those youths who are "at risk." If those students had the opportunity to be engaged in fulfilling activities that would provide pride, companionship, identity and a sense of achievement, would they be as inclined toward negative behaviors? The answer is "No," according to the law enforcement agencies. That is, in fact, exactly what the experts recommend. They advocate productive activities, especially after school in cases where parents are not at home, and they emphasize that adults must be involved in those activities. They say children must be held accountable for their actions since they appreciate knowing what is acceptable behavior and, in spite of their attitudes, want and need a guiding hand.

What We as Music Educators Can Do for the Community

Let us take on the role as arts advocates to do what we can to re-introduce or strengthen music in the public schools and in the community. We can be a committee of one or band together as a group to meet with school officials, PTAs and other arts and youth involvement groups. Many schools' music programs are funded by private donations and, therefore, require extensive and continual fundraising. We should be part of the development plan and support team for policies and programs and the means of funding them. It is also our responsibility to lobby our state and national legislators on behalf ...