Chorus America Joins SupportMusic.com Initiative To Keep Music In Schools

FOR RELEASE: April 21, 2004 CONTACT:  Robin Perry Allen, Director of Communications 202-331-7577; Robin@chorusamerica.org WASHINGTON, DC, April 21 – Chorus America has joined the Music Education Coalition in its massive initiative to help parents and educators appeal to school boards and other decision-makers to keep music in schools. The two organizations will link their websites, www.chorusamerica.org and www.SupportMusic.com, to share information and combat America’s growing cultural deficit. “Too often music programs are the first to be sacrificed when schools face budget cuts,” said Ann Meier Baker, President and Chief Executive Officer of Chorus America. “In light of many studies proving that music education leads to better performance in school – and Chorus America’s recent chorus impact study showing that an early introduction to the performing arts is a building block for life-long learning – we need to fight back on every level when school music programs are threatened. SupportMusic.com provides the information needed to act intelligently and effectively and Chorus America is glad to join in this effort.” Dedicated to inspiring action to support music education in the United States, SupportMusic.com offers resources empowering parents and educators to act locally. The initiative was launched by the Music Education Coalition, an entity formed by NAMM, the International Music Products Association and MENC, the National Association for Music Education. Because of the positive impact of music education, the federal government named music a “core academic subject” alongside reading, writing and arithmetic in the No Child Left Behind Act (the controlling Federal education legislation). At the same time thousands of school boards across the country are implementing unprecedented and massive budget cutbacks. Parents and other interested community members know from experience that music is all too often the first to be sacrificed. And even at current levels, about 60% of the children in school (grades K-12) may be deprived of a meaningful education in music. It is critical for parents and educators to know how to fight back and restore and maintain school music programs – www.SupportMusic.com provides the resources needed to keep music in schools. ABOUT CHORUS AMERICA Chorus America serves professional, volunteer, children/youth, and symphony/opera chorus in North America. To accomplish its mission of strengthening choruses, Chorus America provides valuable information and greater public recognition through its publications, website, conferences, consulting, management and conductor training programs, industry surveys, peer networking, and an extensive awards program. Chorus America is known for its unparalleled ability to enhance the organizational strength of choruses through services that address infrastructure, management, and board development issues. ABOUT SUPPORTMUSIC.COM www.SupportMusic.com is the source of information for the largest initiative ever in support of school music programs. Dedicated to inspiring action to support music education, the initiative offers resources to parents and educators to help them impact decision-makers to provide the funding, teachers, and equipment needed for music education. To find out how your organization can help keep music in schools log onto www.SupportMusic.com. Contact: Kim McDade The Lippin Group-NY 212/986-7080 kim@lippingroup.com Ronnie Lippin The Lippin Group-LA 323/965-1990 ronnie@lippingroup.com

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