Give In-School Music Classes to Los Angeles Youth

With a new year upon us, we take a moment to reflect on how 2024 will build upon last year. What did we learn? What will we keep; what will we change? When we look at the direct impact that Education Through Music-Los Angeles has made on local school communities this past year, we witness a vibrant phase of growth. ETM-LA:

• Provided quality weekly, yearlong sequential music education for 18,500 students across 42 under-resourced schools,
• Transitioned three (3) music teachers from ETM-LA to full-time public school positions at partner districts,
• Grew our internship program over 200%, and 
• Hosted over 100 hours of professional development for music teachers and the community. 

Change Starts Small

Consider a butterfly, which starts out as a tiny egg before moving to its next stage as a caterpillar. In this developmental stage, the caterpillar’s sole role is to eat and grow. 

Similarly, a child must have nurturing and optimal conditions in order to mature and reach key milestones and their fullest potential. In the first few years of life, the brain grows to about 80% of adult size and 90% by age 5 (First Things First).

Music plays a critical part of a child’s holistic development. Take music and the arts away from their well-rounded education, and students can quickly fall behind (Laura Jimenez and Scott Sargrad, Center for American Progress, 2018). Research finds that music as part of the core curriculum in school makes a deep impact on students’ motivation for learning, self-confidence, engagement, focus, connection to peers, and other key benefits (Evaluation Specialists, 2021).

Transformation Takes Time

In Los Angeles County, roughly 75% of elementary and middle schools do not have the equivalent of a full-time music teacher (LA Arts Collective). ETM-LA not only provides qualified and dedicated music teachers, curriculum, instruments, and training, we provide strategic guidance for schools and districts on implementing comprehensive, sequential music education programs which meet the needs and vision of each community. 

ETM-LA supports school partners in taking actionable steps to transform their STEAM curriculum and music culture; to foster a community that values music as a core subject for all students with professional development for principals and teachers, workshops for parents, and student performances for the community. We help move schools through each stage towards graduating from our model – teaching schools how to “teach music.” The length of time needed to progress from limited (or no) music education to building an established school-wide program varies from school to school, but requires intention, time, care, coordination, and collaborative planning.

Strategizing for Sustainability

Every January, ETM-LA’s commitment to strategic guidance is demonstrated through our Annual Principals Leadership Conference, welcoming school district leaders, principals, parents, & community members from across Southern California. Our conference encourages leaders in education to share, learn, and plan strategic goals to explore music program growth across schools, districts, and communities. Sessions this year included: Assessing Music Teacher Pedagogy, Engaging the Wider Community in Advocacy, Long-Term Planning & Your School Culture, and more. By the end of the conference, attendees were left with an understanding of the impact of music education, transformative leadership, and strategic planning for music program sustainability.

Feedback from participants included: “It was extremely effective to engage us musically right away.” and “I can’t wait to grow our vision to be equitable and inclusive to all students in our small community.”

What Remains Constant

What remains immutable is ETM-LA’s resolve to ensure all children have music as part of their school curriculum. We remain unwavering in our service of transforming how we educate, engage, and inspire. We know this work requires constant nurture, and we are grateful for every person who walks alongside us. Music education for every child is a non-negotiable right. 

Together, change and progress are possible.

Links:

• 14th Annual Principal's Leadership Conference
• The Impact of Music Education