LM May 2018

mariachi or band as an elective for the year as an expansion in the district’s fine arts program. “The partnership with VH1 Save the Music and Country Music Association has been absolutely transformative for our school district,” said Dr. Keely Roberts, Superintendent of Zion ESD 6. “It is through the generosity of VH1 and the CMA that we’ve been able to build the first ever orchestra and mariachi program within the district. The commitment to supporting our visions for building a world-class music department is so greatly appreciated.” The district applied for the grant at the end of the school year and by the start of the school year, new instruments were delivered for the music program. “We continue to work with VH1 and their representatives have been on-site consulting with us about development of our music program,” Gannon added. “It has been an awesome experience to see our music program grow.” New instruments provided included: 38 band instruments, 26-32 string instruments and one Casio Celviano Grand Hybrid Piano and three Casio Music Workstations and 38 mariachi instruments. “Prior to being awarded this grant we contracted with an outside company to provide private lessons for our orchestra program, who then charged instrument rental fees. The onus was on the parents to pay the rental fees for the instrument and lessons,” said Gannon. “We knew fine arts and music were a value-added here, and we did not want the

funding to be something that inhibited the capacity of fine arts programming. This grant allowed us to have our own orchestra program and to boost our band program.” The district is also focusing on expanding the professional development for music teachers. “We want our teachers to have an in-depth feeling of how music is relatable to the social/ emotional well-being of the students through music therapy,” said Gannon. Further expansion of music programming for the 2018–19 school year is currently being examined and district personnel is planning to apply for more grants for the elementary level next. “We are incredibly proud of the steps we have taken to enhance instrumental and vocal music education and performance opportunities for the students in Zion District 6, and we are excited to continue this work as we remain highly dedicated to providing our children with modern music programming, experiences and opportunities as an important part of their elementary education experience,” said Roberts. VH1 Save the Music Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring instrumental music education programs in America’s public schools and raising awareness about the importance of music as part of each child’s complete education. Over the last 20 years, the foundation has donated $53 million worth of new musical instruments to over 2,000 public schools in 251 school districts around the country. To learn about music grants available through VH1 Save the Music Foundation go to: https://www.vh1savethemusic.org/grants/ .

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