Letter to the Editor: FAME Concerned With Possible Music Cuts

The following letter was submitted by Friends and Advocates of Music Education (FAME) Co-Chairs Karen Friedman-Hanna and Grace Marinelli. The letter was sent to the School Committee, Warrant Committee and Board of Selectmen.

Hello,   

We are writing to you because of our immense concern over the possible cuts to music programming at the elementary school level, according to the most recent budget proposals under your consideration.  As the co-chairs of Friends and Advocates for Music Education (FAME), we write to ask your help ensuring that music programs at the elementary level and across all grades continue at full or additional funding. 

It is crucial for you to believe in the power and value of Milton’s award-winning chorus, band and strings programs. Elementary music programs are the foundation upon which the accomplishments of our student singers and musicians are built.  The elementary program has suffered significant budget cuts in recent years – to the level where Milton elementary students receive less music programming than students in any other peer town.

That alone puts at risk a music program that has traditionally seen its students ranked among the most accomplished performers at competitions such as the Great East Festival, the South Eastern Massachusetts School Bandmasters Association festivals, the Massachusetts Music Educators Association Eastern District festivals, and the MMEA All-State festival. Many young Milton musicians and singers perform for such esteemed youth groups as the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras, the New England Conservatory Youth Symphony and the Riverside Theater Works, to name a view. These accomplishments begin with elementary music education. 

The proposal to cut $114,000 in music, arts and enrichment programs would eliminate elementary strings and band programs, which provide crucial instructional time and introduce students to ensemble performance. We understand that the warrant committee is scheduled to vote on the budget in early February and we are sensitive to how tight the town budget is. We hope, however, that you vote to support the requested increased budget for the schools, and within that, re-establish music and the arts as priorities, recognizing that they provide benefit to all of our students in so many ways--academically, creatively, emotionally, and behaviorly.   

Studies repeatedly show that music education enhances cognitive function, reduces anxiety and stress, and increases self esteem.  With so much emphasis being placed on achievement and respect, it is only logical (and cost effective, we might add) that you support programming that will enhance these skills.   

Please feel free to contact us if you would like any additional supporting  information.  We have faith in you, our town officials, to think creatively with your allocation of our resources to ensure that our children have a well rounded, strong education that helps them achieve their goals, whatever they may be. 

Sincerely,

Karen Friedman-Hanna and Grace Marinelli
Co-Chairs, Friends and Advocates of Music Education (FAME)