The May 2025 issues of SBO+ Magazine and our sister publication, MMR Magazine, included articles about the impact of trade tariffs on music education. Recent announcements of a possible reduction from 145% to 30% should not lull us into thinking the problem is solved. Businesses hate uncertainty and extreme reductions in imports of all types of items from around the world will take many months to reverse even if reversed today. Once supply chains dry up, it takes many months for them to be restored.
In the Headlines section of this issue, we address the impact of the recent elimination of grants by the National Endowment for the Arts. You may think this will have no impact on music classrooms, but that would be wrong. Here’s a more detailed look at how NEA grants impact music education:
Expanding Programs:
NEA grants help schools and organizations start or expand music programs, ensuring more students have access to music education.
Equipping Schools:
Grants can provide funding for instruments, music materials, and technology, ensuring students have the resources they need to learn.
Addressing Underserved Populations:
A significant portion of NEA funding is directed towards projects that engage students from low-income communities, often through after-school programs and community-based initiatives.
Increasing Accessibility:
Some NEA grants focus on making music education accessible to students with disabilities or those who face other barriers to participation, like transportation or food insecurity.
Professional Development:
Grants support professional development opportunities for music teachers, allowing them to stay current with teaching methods, curriculum, and technology.
Developing Curriculum:
NEA funding supports the development of new and innovative curriculum materials for music education, including projects that incorporate technology and interdisciplinary approaches.
Training Teaching Artists:
Grants help organizations train and support teaching artists who work with schools and community organizations, providing students with diverse learning experiences.
Collaborations:
Many NEA-funded projects involve collaboration between schools, community organizations, and local musicians, creating a richer learning environment for students.
Public Performances:
Grants support public concerts, workshops, and other community events that showcase student musicians and foster a love of music within the community.
Arts Integration:
Some NEA grants support the integration of music into other subjects, helping students develop a holistic understanding of the arts and its connection to other areas of learning.
Evaluating Programs:
NEA funding supports research on the effectiveness of arts education, helping to identify best practices and demonstrate the positive impact of music education on student achievement and well-being.
Promoting Public Awareness:
The NEA uses its funding to promote public awareness of the importance of music education, encouraging individuals and organizations to support arts education initiatives.
Underserved Populations:
NEA grants often prioritize projects that serve underserved populations, including students from low-income communities, students with disabilities, and students from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Also in this issue, there’s a great article on improving your low brass section, a discussion of grading new music for jazz bands, and commentary about “flex” instrumentation. Many of the classic band works of the 20th century are being masterfully rescored for flexible instrumentation. This opens a plethora of wonderful works to ensembles of less than ideal instrumentation.
On the topic of speaking up, have you made your voice heard about the products and publications you find the most useful in your teaching? Visit https://sboplus.net/tca/ (you can vote multiple times BTW) to let manufacturers and publishers know what you really value.
