Within school systems, music departments being defunded is not the most uncommon thing to happen due to local school districts being forced to make difficult financial decisions. Despite the circumstances varying within different schools, music educators need to be more active defending the music programs within schools and to do this, the message needs to be a clear message that music is a core subject within schools, a way for students to receive support for their social and emotional development, and something that students can access regardless of their status.

Music education is a vital part of learning since there are many different layers within it, such as history, mathematics, etc. Students who learn music do end up having better results in their academics because it teaches them how to collaborate with others, creativity, critical thinking, and so many more significant skills that would be essential to human development. Every single student deserves high quality music education due to these positive outcomes in school regardless of their economic status. Having budgets cut for music programs hit the hardest compared to other educational programs due to the fact that music education requires many materials that not everyone can afford. Prioritizing music programs with higher funding could result in a great impact on the child’s life not only in an academic setting, but socially as well. Mental health crises have been arising within the past few decades. While schools do not always address these situations, music can play a role in self expression that the student could not have done previously. It could be interpreted as a stress reliever and a way for the student to build confidence because of the performance opportunities music programs in school have to offer. As an educator, music programs provide immense support for students that could be battling with any sort of mental health or self confidence issues. 

To prevent such a predicament for students in a school system where music programs are being cut, people should invite high school board members and local officials to observe music classes or even performances because they can be quite impactful. If an administrator works for the school board, they are not entirely familiar with what happens within a classroom. Officials can see students engaging in activities that allow them to be themselves and use it as a brain break from work they have been dealing with in different classes. They can see how valuable music education is to society and perhaps could lead them to change their stance regarding music programs. Programs for concerts are also an amazing opportunity to advocate for music education. Brief messages regarding the program, what the students have been learning and how much they have improved, and seeing the significant impact of music education can always be an eye opener to parents and people outside of the classroom. Parents could see the amount of work the student(s) have put within music classes that they could resort to posting it on social media, advocating for music education by highlighting its significance for their child. Not only that, but if the parent was a part of the music program in that school system, that could also play an immense role in advocating for music education. Former students are known to be quite powerful in regards to how music has influenced their lives and encouraging them to speak out or write letters could result in a more broad impact. However, social media is also known to bring a more broad audience as well, which can result in those advocating for the music education department. This can also lead to one on one meetings with the school board, where people from many different backgrounds can voice their opinion regarding music education and how much it could have impacted them as a child, thus also resulting in a way where officials could have their opinions reversed if budgets were being cut. Teachers could also advocate for music education by collaborating with other music programs either in the same school, if applicable, and/or different schools. If the school board were to see the work students from different schools are putting into music education, this could also result in them changing their decision to cut funding or the music programs in the school system. 

Financial decisions within a school system are tough things to battle with, especially if you are working as a member of the school board. However, advocating for music education and its funding should be quite informed by the entire community. Not just focusing on the fact that students are learning music, but the importance and impacts it has on a student’s life. If people were to focus on its main core values that form what really makes up music education and the impacts it has on children, music educators could be a strong rebuttal for school board members that want to cut budgets for music education.