The National Music Council once again co-sponsored Arts Advocacy Day, joining Americans for the Arts and a host of other national, state, and local arts agencies to lobby Congress on a broad range of issues that impact performers, educators, and local organizations that bring a robust arts presence to their communities.
NMC Director David Sanders led a delegation that included AFM Legislative Political Director Alfonso Pollard and several Montclair State University arts and education students. The schedule included visits to Senators Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Lamar Alexander (RTN), and Robert Menendez (D-NJ). On the House side, the team visited Representatives John Kline (R-MN), George Miller (D-CA), and Louise Slaughter (D-NY) who serves as chair of the Congressional Arts Caucus. In addition to the arts advocacy focus on music education, Sanders and Pollard also discussed the importance of the National Endowment for the Arts, underscoring its positive impact on American orchestras, jazz, and folk music. The critical issue of copyright protection and performance rights were also raised.
A highlight of the advocacy activities centered on the 26th Annual Nancy Hanks Lecture on Arts and Public Policy. Internationally renowned cellist and humanitarian Yo Yo Ma delivered this year’s lecture with remarkable intellect and outstanding talent. Ma’s riveting lecture, “Art for Life’s Sake: A Roadmap from One Citizen Musician,” centered on the “edge effect” and the important confluence of politics, economics, and culture.
National Music Council American Eagle Awards June 4th 2003
[youtube]http://youtu.be/stBGPOJ8w_w[/youtube]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
INNOVATIVE CURRICULUM ON THE IMPORTANCE OF RESPECTING CREATORS’ RIGHTS INTRODUCED BY THE NATIONAL MUSIC COUNCIL AND MUSIC PUBLISHERS’ ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES
MONTCLAIR, NJ – In recognition of World Copyright Day on April 23rd the National Music Council (NMC) and the Music Publishers Association of the United States (MPA) have announced the release of a new, innovative education tool for primary school students designed to teach respect and admiration for creators, inventors and their works.
Developed by NMC Executive Director and Montclair State University Professor, Dr. David Sanders, entertainment attorney and Songwriters Guild of America counsel Charles J. Sanders, and award winning animation creators Bevin Carnes, the lesson plan and educational extension activities will be available to educators via a free website, http://www.IMadeIt.org. The program was created to teach young students the consequences of disrespecting the rights of creators, and how activity such as appropriating the work of others without permission negatively impacts upon creators and stifles creativity in general.
“This project is part of a world-wide effort by creators to foster an understanding that the online protection of creative work enhances freedom of speech and the marketplace of ideas, rather than encroaching on them.” said Dr. David Sanders in announcing the curriculum.” The rampant disrespect for the creative and property rights of not just music creators, but creators of in all types of media, has resulted in incalculable harm over the past decade not only to the individual creators, but also to American culture as a whole. It is impossible to determine exactly how many composers and songwriters have stopped creating because they can no longer afford to do so, but suffice it to say that the problem of Internet piracy which has resulted in the diminution of music community income by well over fifty percent since 1999 has been personally devastating to most. One of the best long term ways to address and eventually reverse this trend is through education, starting in the youngest grade levels, by teaching respect for creators and their rights.”
According to Bevin Carnes and Charles Sanders, however, the approach has to be a gentle one. “You can’t hit kids over the head with morality plays,” stated Carnes. “You just show them through a medium they understand and love, animation, that actions have consequences, and ask them to draw their own conclusions.” According to Charles Sanders, inspiration for the more subtle approach was drawn from the famous anti-litter campaign of the 1970’s, in which the tear on the cheek of a Native American over the mindless disrespect of litterers for natural beauty spoke volumes. “That silent, iconic image has stayed with an entire generation of Americans, who were convinced as youngsters that though it might be easier to throw trash out of a car window, it just isn’t right, and it has consequences for all of us. That’s the approach we’ve tried to take regarding the consequences of disrespecting creators.”
Sanders added that the curriculum also instructs educators on the finer points of teaching concepts such as copyright and free expression to older students who may view the two as antithetical to one another. “James Madison and the other Founders knew it in the 18th century, just as the U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly stated it in the 20th and 21st centuries,” he said. “Far from being in conflict with one another, copyright protection is the very ‘engine of free expression,’ and promotes the advancement of culture.” Added David Sanders, “Again, though, students are asked to reason through to their own conclusions, and perhaps adjust their own behavior accordingly.”
The project was underwritten by the Music Publishers Association of the United States. Founded in 1895, the Music Publishers Association is the oldest music trade organization in the United States, fostering communication among publishers, dealers, music educators, and all ultimate users of music.
The National Music Council is celebrating its 72nd anniversary as a forum for the free discussion of America’s national music affairs and challenges. Founded in 1940 to amplify the positions of its music community members on issues concerning the importance of music in American life and culture, the Council’s initial membership of 13 has grown to almost 50 national music organizations, encompassing every important form of professional musical activity.
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National Arts Advocacy Day on Tuesday, April 9. Even if you cannot attend in person, you can help the state arts advocacy delegation members who are coming to DC. We need you to write to your Members of Congress by this Friday, April 5th at noon. We are going to tally all of these letters so that your state arts advocacy captain can walk in each Congressional office and say, “Today is Arts Advocacy Day and I want to add my voice to the other constituents who have already e-mailed you about the importance of the arts and arts education in our state.”
Take two minutes to send a pre-written, customizable Arts Advocacy Day letter to your members of Congress.
Attend a live Arts Advocacy Day event from home!
The Nancy Hanks Lecture on Arts and Public Policy is the highlight of Arts Advocacy Day. This year, acclaimed cellist and arts educator Yo-Yo Ma will deliver the lecture and perform at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. For the first time ever, Google will web stream the event live for millions to enjoy and be inspired. To watch, visit the Americans for the Arts’ YouTube channel on Monday, April 8 at 6:30 PM EDT.
Want to ask Yo-Yo Ma an arts education question?
The next day, Yo-Yo will take a break from his Arts Advocacy Day visits with Congress to participate in our Google Hangout (aka video chat). Tweet us your questions in advance using the #AskYoYo hashtag. To watch the Google Hangout, visit the Americans for the Arts’ YouTube channel on Tuesday, April 9 at 10:30 AM EDT.
Thank you for being part of the 2013 National Arts Advocacy Day!
Such a decision would be, perhaps, understandable in light of the fiscal woes that currently beset many of our nation’s urban areas. It is, however, neither understandable nor defensible in terms of our collective responsibility to provide a full, balanced education to all of our children.
“A broad base of research exists demonstrating the many benefits of music and arts in student learning and achievement. As is noted in the Partnership for 21st Century Learning Skills¹ Arts Skills Map, arts education is powerful preparation for college, career, and a fulfilling life. When delivered by certified educators, these benefits are most substantially gleaned, hence, the lifelong learning impact is greatest. Quite simply put, such dividends are far less likely to be realized when delivery takes place via arts-integration or artist-in-residence programs.
Arts instruction by certified teachers is, in fact, a vital requirement of a successful learning experience, and simply cannot be equaled by the type of stopgap methods presently being touted in Lansing.”
Professional certified staff, time, materials, and planned curricula should be available to students in every school. Second-best solutions involving some exposure to music and the other arts simply cannot replace the work of professional educators who are committed both to excellence in their art forms and, as trained teachers, to the growth and learning of children. We cannot deprive students of essential experiences in music and the arts that for many are among the strongest reasons they come to and stay in school.
There is absolutely a role for arts integration and artists-in-residence, both of which can enliven the classroom experience in unique and incredible ways. But that role must be an overlay and enhancement of true arts learning. Music and the arts are designated core curriculum and require core curriculum funding and the highest quality teachers. In support of the need to provide the best possible learning opportunities for children in Lansing, we urge you to reconsider your decision.
Interviewer: Charles J. Sanders
Producer: Dr. David Sanders
Paul Schaffer: Creating the Late Night Band for David Letterman
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Paul Schaffer: Musical Influences
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Paul Schaffer: Greatest Musical Moments
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeZVgGiq4u4[/youtube]
Sonny Fox: Producing "The Songwriters" Series
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wCzJGZ36DM[/youtube]
Sonny Fox: Experience As A WWII P.O.W.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DhCKkyvEJ8[/youtube]
Sonny Fox: Hosting Children's Show Wonderama
Sonny Fox: "But You Made The Front Page"
Sonny Fox & Paul Schaffer: What Is Left To Accomplish?
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juo1eSKZRVM[/youtube]
American Eagle Awards artists and guests speak about the importance of music and arts education on our nation's schools.
Ambassador Mo Sacirbey, Martha Wash, Judy Collins, Ben E. King
The Year 2013 presents an opportunity for music educators, students, parents, and friends of music education to let new and returning members of Congress know how vital music education is for students and for our society. When we share our stories, we share the importance of our work.
The National Association for Music Education is collecting stories about the accomplishments of music programs from across the United States. These stories can range from concerts to competitions to new classes to community service events—anything that shows the value of musical engagement and learning.
In addition to sharing stories, writers are invited to communicate the benefits of their work to administrators, the media, and policymakers. NAfME’s “Share Your Story” webpage provides links to contact information for elected officials at the state and national levels as well as resources for writing to your elected officials. NAfME will work with state and national music education leaders to share these stories with new and returning congressional members. Share your story today.
The 2012 election has made a dramatic impact on Congress with more than 80 new members of Congress taking office in early January. The next Congress will renew the focus on reducing the federal deficit and creating jobs, and it is imperative that arts advocates work together to craft a policy agenda that supports our nonprofit arts sector and arts education.
The National Music Council supports Americans for the Arts as a National CoSponsor of Arts Advocacy Day. Contact NMC Director David Sanders to join our team on Capitol Hill on April 9th.