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VH1 sponsorship restores school's music curriculum
WGMS to receive grant of $25,000
By Chantal Lamers
The squeal of saxophones, the rhythm of drums and the twang of guitars will be louder and livelier at Willow Glen Middle School. VH1 announced its $25,000 sponsorship to add Save The Music to the silenced campus curriculum on March 28.
The music video channel's Save The Music foundation is a nonprofit organization that has two missions: to restore music education programs in public schools across America; and to raise awareness of the positive impact music participation has on children.
"We've been saved," says Lois Allen, Willow Glen Middle School principal. Allen says that over the past two years, a limited music program slowly crept back onto the campus. It was the first time music was played at the campus in about 10 years. That program is a partnership between the middle school and neighboring Willow Glen High School.
Between the two schools, they share two music teachers who allow students the option to take choir or band as an elective. "It's hard for schools to hire a full-time music teacher," Allen explains.
Allen, who has worked diligently with WGHS principal Patrick Day, says the two struggled to revive the music program on the two campuses--and have been struggling to keep it going.
Now, with the help of the VH1, in partnership with Time Warner Cable and the San Jose Jazz Society, the school will receive music instruments and a sort of guardian angel to help the program flourish.
Since the program began in 1997, Save The Music has supported more than 350 music programs in 30 cities, helping about 120,000 students. Over the next 10 years, VH1 plans to restore music education programs for 1 million children.
Allen says that previously students who wanted to participate in music programs had to rent instruments from music stores. But VH1 representatives have instructed campus music teachers to write up a wish list and Save The Music will deliver.
According to VH1, science has proven that music education helps. "Research has shown that involvement in music programs improves a child's early cognitive development, basic math and reading abilities, self-esteem, SAT scores, self-discipline, ability to work in teams and school attendance," VH1 states in a Save The Music brochure. "Also, children involved with music education are more likely to graduate from high school and attend college, and less likely to be involved with gangs and substance abuse."
Music and other fine arts are becoming increasingly vital to students since University of California campuses are beginning to require a fine arts class for freshman admission, Allen says. Schools are struggling to bring back music programs that were slashed during budget cuts.
Allen applied for a grant from Save The Music last summer, but didn't hear from music-video channel representatives until early March. "We're exactly the kind of school they're looking for," Allen says.
Bill Erlendson, San Jose Unified School District director of external programs and community development, often seeks grants from local and nationwide businesses to support the revival of art programs. He said VH1 looks for schools with a socio-economic need, and a commitment to a music program, the hiring of music staff and working with the local jazz society. Because WGMS was just in the beginning stages of bringing back its music program, VH1 decided to give the school a helping hand, he says.
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
