Music Advocacy: Moving From Survival to Vision
Dr. Benham's new book is a must-have for every music department in the United States at both the K-12 and collegiate levels. His theory of reverse economics along with his guidance have saved the music education experiences for thousands and thousands of students as well as many careers in the field. This book provides information on scheduling issues as well as a clear explanation of his reverse economic theory. It gives a step by step outline on how to handle threats to music programs. The book is a wealth of information and is highly recommended. (Mary Wagner, chair, Fairfax Arts Coalition for Education, a National ASTA past-president)Finally—a 'how to' book for advocating for music education in our own districts! Dr. John Benham provides us with 'the right stuff' as well as a number of rules to follow to ensure that programs stay in tact and keep complacency at bay. This must-have resource helps us understand educational processes and how budget decisions are made. It also provides suggestions on how to involveallconstituents in the process of advocacy by guaranteeing that the best interest of the students remains the basis for all decision making. Music programscanbe saved even when cuts appear to be eminent, andMusic Advocacy: Moving from Survival to Visionprovides effective, proactive strategies not only to avoid these cuts but also to establish a long-term plan for continued development. (Marcia M. Neel, president, Music Education Consultants, Inc.)As a music retailer who has worked closely with Dr. Benham for over ten years, I truly appreciate his great discovery of reverse economics. It is brilliantly simple and proves the financial efficiency of a healthy music department! Every instrument retailer needs to share this vital resource with all of their school customers. This isthemanual that every music department needs to use in order to fully support their program. The information needs to be extracted and shared with your school board every year. (Doug Schmitt, vice preseident of music education, Schmitt Music Stores)Dr. John Benham is a rare individual who walks-his-talk with a sense of mission unknown in common hours, and every person connected with arts education is the benefactor of his immeasurable commitment and dedication. Once again Dr. Benham has come to the forefront of the profession by sharing his profound knowledge and wisdom framed in this masterful writing initiative. Simply put, this book represents a tried-and-true blueprint of success. It is a priceless gift to the future of our educational landscape, and it is a reflective tribute to the visionary contribution of an author of purpose. (Tim Lautzenheiser, Attitude Concepts for Today, Inc.)This volume complements MENC http://www.menc.org/, the online presence of the National Association for Music Education. A nationally recognized music educator and advocacy consultant, Benham offers here a practical handbook for music educators and parents in the school environment. The first section discusses the basics of advocacy in music education, emphasizes the need for coalitions, and sets the tone for the rest of the volume. The process of advocacy is carefully constructed in logical steps. Understanding, developing, and implementing impact statements help educators, parents, and school boards move from survival to vision to action. A helpful discussion on crisis management in educational reform uses case studies to show proven results. Charts, appendixes, and an assessment glossary make this an excellent choice for all who are interested in music and its promotion. Summing Up: Recommended. (CHOICE)