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Advocacy for the Choral Art: Empowering Our Communities

Why Advocate? tional concerns is key. We can bridge that gap between
Understanding the Impact their perspectives to an enlightened understanding of

Advocacy is a vital catalyst for change. By the myriad benefits that music brings to every child’s
supporting music learning, we are safeguarding holistic development.
opportunities for all children and adolescents Music is a vital component in all of our lives. I once
to learn and grow through the vehicle of music heard a speaker at an Alaska Music Education Asso-
study and performing. We are shaping a future ciation conference share that only one to two percent
where every child has access to the transforma- of the world’s population reads music. Yet, we know
tive power of music. Expanding the awareness that every year billions of dollars are spent on music
of others is crucial, especially if those individuals as consumers just in the United States alone. If only a
small portion of the people across the globe read mu-
know little about music learning or they are not sic, it makes sense why some believe that music study is
concerned about education. reserved for a talented minority.

Music learning is more than just singing songs or
playing instruments—it is also about instilling scientific,
Engaging the Community: mathematical, linguistic, historical, and artistic under-
Bridging Gaps and Educating Others standing in students. Every person must take math in
Advocacy is more than just preaching to the choir— school, yet only a small percent of the people in our
it is about informing and teaching those who may not population pursue math as a profession. By studying
fully understand the value of music education. Mas- math in school, students learn how to problem solve
ter choir directors start with the students’ comfort and expand their understanding of abstract constructs.
zone, their baseline of knowledge and skills, then take Studying choral music also teaches students to problem
them into the unknown territory of new material and solve and expand their comprehension of abstract con-
skillsets. We do not typically program Bach chorales cepts. We guide students on a journey to better under-
if the singers in an ensemble still struggle to match stand themselves and the world, by engaging in music
pitch. Consequently, members of the community who learning and performing.
are removed from the performing arts, except as con-
sumers, may need to know how they will be served by So what is music? Add your own ideas to the
supporting music learning. In other words, we meet list below:
them in their world and care about the issues that are
important to them. • Music is science.
Most humans are members of the WIIFM Club:
What’s In It For Me? Take a moment to think about • Music is math.
how music is perceived in the world of non-musicians
or by people with little exposure to the world of edu- • Music is a foreign language.
cation. Respect and honor their points of view and be
willing to learn from their perspectives. Have a con- • Music is history.
versation and say, “Tell me more.” Remember that we
also make assumptions about career and choices of • Music is physical education.
study that are unfamiliar to us.
Advocacy informs people why every child benefits • Music develops insights.
from music and other art forms. It is about providing
opportunities for students’ learning. Respectfully en- • Music uses both sides of the brain.
gaging with different viewpoints of individuals with
limited experience of choral singing or other educa- • Music is literature.

24 CHORAL JOURNAL October 2024 Volume 65 Number 3