Saturday, February 23, 2008 

Top Artists Join Music Project To Benefit The California Schools

Over the past decade, music has been severely declining within the California schools. A recent study showed that within the past five years there has been a 50 percent decline in student participation in music programs. Additionally, it showed that one third of all music teachers have lost their jobs within that same time frame. The study predicts that music education will be eliminated from the California schools within the next ten years, unless dramatic changes occur. Music within the California schools system is at a critical juncture.

Singer Bonnie Raitt said, Its a shame we are depriving so many California children of the benefits of music in schools. She stated that every child deserves the chance to develop their fullest with a well-rounded education, including the arts.

To that end, the California Arts Council spearheaded the California Music Project (CMP), a 401(c)(3) nonprofit, long-term initiative. The California schools, music industry executives, and the council will work together through the CMP to bring much needed revenues and music programs back into the California schools. The goals of the CMP are to:

Provide grant funding to music teachers, music professionals, and the California schools to bring more music leaning to students;

Develop joint ventures with universities, businesses, foundations and music-focused organizations to fund, pilot and expand music programs within the California schools; and

Serve as an advocate to both the public and private sectors to further music as a core discipline, so that every California schools students has equal access.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger proposed and approved a state budget with the California schools slated to receive an estimated $105 million in ongoing funding for arts education. That is an estimated $17-18 per student. Included is a one-time allocation of $500 million for arts, music and physical education equipment. Yet, it will not be enough to reverse the tremendous, almost ten-year decline of music education within the California schools. The California schools remain underfunded and understaffed in music education.

The CMP plans to heighten awareness and raise funds through all-star music CDs with top California performers, special events, and concerts around the state.

The first CD is scheduled for release in late October. Artists, publishers and labels donate all the songs and performances, with proceeds going to the CMP. It features a variety of genres from 18 California singers, musicians and bands. Included are: Los Lobos, Leela James, Beck, Dwight Yoakam, Warrne Zevon, Ben Harper, Jack Johnson, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and others.

The artists are very passionate about their work and want to see California schools students get some of the same attention they received while growing up around music. Working with the CMP, the artists may get their wish.

Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information on California schools visit http://www.schoolsk-12.com/california/index.html

Flooring Marble
Day Forex Incredible System Trading
Jane Fonda Original Workout

 

10 Tips For Preparing For Your Next Exam

Need help with your next exam? Get pro-active and prepare for success ahead of time with these 10 study tips.

1. You need a dedicated study area. That means you need to find a good place to study thats quiet, has plenty of room to spread out books and papers, and offers plenty of good lighting.

2. You should have your study tools handy you need writing paper, note cards (like index cards), pens, markers / highlighters, colored pencils, yellow sticky notes, a small dictionary, calculator, and a folder to keep your papers organized.

3. Get a tutor or study buddy when possible, and be one yourself (you can often learn by teaching!)

4. Review your notes from class/books and rewrite them, clearing up any points necessary and reinforcing them.

5. Compare study notes and class notes with those of others. Fill in what they have that you dont. Get help understanding what you may have missed. Highlight or underline important points.

6. Read all of your assignments, required book chapters, lessons, etc. Take notes, then go back and re-read again. Jot down questions about anything you do not understand and follow up as best you can.

7. Use practice exams or old tests when studying.

8. Learn to make outlines and outline important information from each lesson, each chapter.

9. Use note cards to make your own flashcards. Then dont just memorize, but really try to learn the information.

10. Try to put information to music, rhyming or other word patterns; for example, remember Roy G. Biv: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet = colors of the rainbow. And how about: My very educated mother just served us nine pancakes (or just nuts now) for remembering: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto (?).

So grab your study tips and go! Get pro-active about passing your next exam and invite success to come your way.

John Daye

Bank California Job Stockton
Swim Wrist Wallets
0 0interest Balance Card Credit Transfer