Music is also great for social connections.
Milk and Music
Submitted by jimmyaungchen on Sat, 10/24/2009 - 01:32
the problem:
Famous hip-hop and rap artist Bubba Sparxxx sang in his song, Ms. New Booty – “Booty booty booty, rockin’ everywhere.” However, when it comes to music programs across schools in America, there is absolutely no booty rocking anywhere at all. The New York Times reports that new emphasis on standardized testing and budget cuts pose a major threat to arts programs across schools, where 70% of public school music budgets are externally funded. In California alone, there is a planned $2 billion cut in educational funding over the next two years.
In light of this, the Do Something Chapter at UC Berkeley discovered a great opportunity to help bring the booty back in music education.
vital stats:
people impacted:
21,040people involved:
80why it's important:
Music is a universal language, and it allows us to express ourselves. Not only is music super awesome to listen to, consistent research by really smart scientists show that children who study music or play an instrument do better in school, are more engaged in their communities, and have enchanced critical thinking and problem solving skills.
the plan of action:
We took 3 different approaches to drive action and raise awareness about saving music programs. This was particularly effective because this allowed us to reach a greater audience with a smaller amount of financial resources.
- Main Campaign: Milk Mustache Station
On October 14-15, 2009, we organized a milk mustache photo station on the campus for the “Save Our Music” campaign. Every milk mustache picture raised $1.00 for the VH1 Save the Music Foundation. The chance for a free milk mustache photo attracted many students to stop by and have their pictures taken next to a giant milk carton. In addition, we knew that Body By Milk was also running a “Drink Milk for a Change” campaign to benefit the VH1 Save the Music Foundation. This was not only a great idea but also a chance for us to cross-promote the campaigns to heighten awareness – especially because the “Got Milk?” campaigns are so well known. Those who took milk mustache pictures also promised they would post these pictures on their Facebook profile if we Photoshopped the pictures to resemble the “Got Milk?” ads.Results:48 students and community members took pictures. 10 students also told us why music education was important to them.
- Secondary Campaign: Letters to Generate Awareness
We also wrote letters and encouraged the entire UC Berkeley Music Department to do their part to “Save Our Music.” A total of 45 letters were sent to Professors, PhD candidates, as well as graduate students. We asked them to answer a short 5 question survey (one of the questions which include “Why is music education important?”), and also make announcements before class to their respective lecture and teaching sections.We also leveraged resources from the VH1 Save the Music Foundation’s website and downloaded the “Principal’s Guide: Building Your Instrumental Music Program” to send to the principals of 10 local elementary, middle, and high schools. Although not all responded, one did state that he would take it into consideration.
Results: a total of 12 responded to the survey and all (4 professors and 8 graduate students) agreed to make announcements to their students before class about music education and its importance
- Tertiary Campaign: Flyers about Music Education
Over a period of 5 days (October 12-16), flyers with facts about music education were posted in building hallways and classrooms.
Results:100 flyers were posted
how you can get involved:
Send us a picture of you sporting a milk mustache, while Doing Something about a cause that you are passionate about! We'll add it to our gallery!
For the full project report, check out: http://www.caldosomething.org/blog/milkmusic/SaveOurMusicPostProjectReportFinal.pdf
project updates:
11/06/2009
11/03/2009
More professor interviews have rolled in. Here is a particularly good one.
1) Who are you? What do you do?
- I am an artist, scholar, and teacher. I am a music professor at UCB, teaching courses on popular music, music and politics, and music and identity. I also do research on interracial and intercultural music performance. Finally, I am a composer, sound designer, and performer, working in theater, dance, and film.
2) How did music influence you as a child, and how has it influenced who you are today?
- Performing or listening to music has always created a space in which I feel fully alive. Sometimes I am intellectually stimulated, others emotionally, others spiritually. Often all three at once. For this reason, I have chosen to make music central to my daily life, at work and at home.
3) Why is music education important?
- Music definitely helps brain development and hand-eye coordination. The ways in which it affects the brain cannot be overstated. Much less spoken about, though, are the ways in which it provides alternative models of how to be people in the world. Children who sing in a choir, for example, learn firsthand what it means to be responsible to a group, work together, and make something beautiful with others. Also, particularly in the U.S., the dominant culture does not support messages or material that develop or engage the emotional and spiritual elements of ourselves. Music is important for helping students learn about and connect with themselves by having intense emotional experiences.
4) What is one thing you will promise to do in the next month to spread awareness about music education?
- I pledge to better mentor the young artists that are around me and help them to understand the great value of their efforts and importance of their voices.
5) If you were a song, what would you be? And possibly why?
- I would be Bob Marley's "Redemption Song." It's simple yet hauntingly beautiful. Straight to the point yet poetic. And about living fearlessly, taking control of your own destiny, working for justice, and forgiving the hurt of the past (but with a critical eye and the desire to make the future better).
--
Tamara Roberts
Assistant Professor, Department of Music
University of California, Berkeley
