UC Berkeley: Berkeley, CA

People involved: 21,040

“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.”

Jimmy Chen and the Berkeley Do Something Club organized a fundraiser to benefit the Vh1 Save the Music Foundation. At the donation station, they handed out flyers about the importance of music education in schools.

They also launched a letter writing campaign and sent 45 letters to members of the Berkeley Music Department asking them to make announcements in class about the importance of music education. They used the VH1 Save the Music Foundation’s “Principal’s Guide to Building an Instrumental Music Program” and sent it to 10 local elementary, middle and high schools.

The Club made efforts to involve the whole Berkeley campus. They posted 100 flyers with facts about music education in schools and organized a massive game of "Musical Chairs" to raise awareness about the issue.

Cactus Shadows High School. Cave Creek, AZ

People involved: 400

“Music is more than just notes and rhythms, it's an expression of what's in someone's soul.”

Melissa from Cactus Shadows High organized a concert called “Rock the District” to give students a chance to perform in front of the grater community, to raise funds for her school’s music program, and to raise community awareness about the lack of funding for music education.

Over 350 people attended the event, that Melissa herself Emceed, and they raised $4000 for the Cave Creek Unified School District’s music program.

Since the concert, Melissa created a wish list with the needs of every music teacher in her district that she will continue to raise funds for. She has partnered with her local Kiwanis and the Arizona Music Fest to expand her efforts.

Monson High School. Monson, MA

People involved: 150

“It's important because I have spent 9 years of my life in music and it is made me the person I am today.”

Amanda Davies launched an instrument drive and fundraiser to revive her school’s music program. She sent out letters to local businesses and passed out flyers at a community event, explaining the state of music education and asking for support.

She didn’t stop there. Amanda drew more eyes to the state of music education by soliciting press and appearing in 3 newspaper articles and making presentations at 2 school committee meetings.

Amanda collected 17 brand new instruments, including a piano (!) , and raised $1175 for her school’s music program.

Passaic County Technical Institute. Wayne, NJ

People Involved: 80

“Music education is important because it shows a different side of maturity and potential. So many kids have musical talents and some day become some of the best musicians in history.”

This is the first time Roxanne Lora took the lead on a project. She was nervous, but with the support of fellow students and teachers she circulated a started a petition to save music education and collected nearly 100 signatures!

She also created an 8 minute video montage featuring the school band rocking out to artists like Michael Jackson and Lady GaGa, plus interviews with students about why music education is so important.

La Causa Charter School. Milwaukee, WI

People Involved: 1060

“We want to learn to play instruments and be able to appreciate music for the rest of our lives.”

La Causa students worked with their music teacher to create a petition outlining all the needs of the school’s music program. The students made posters to advertise the campaign to students and faculty. During the campaign, the students spent music class working their petition and writing letters about why music education matters to them.

They collected nearly 1000 signatures from students, faculty, and community members and will present their petition and testimonials to school administration this November!