What's going on with Music Education in Rhode Island?
Several communities in Rhode Island, including Woonsocket, Johnston, Smithfield, and Providence have made or are now making drastic cuts to public school music programs. The sad truth is that Music Education is frequently the first place many schools systems look to cut costs. Often, a majority of students from the hardest-hit of these communities fall near or below the poverty line, and their only chance for musical instruction and exposure to the arts lies in public education.

Ironically, the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 lists "the Arts" as a "CORE ACADEMIC" subject area, part of the basic education of every child. More so, there are new fine arts graduation requirements being implemented, beginning with the class of 2008, which require students demonstrate a basic proficiency in one of the fine arts.

How does this affect me?
If you live in any of these communities, or your children attend school in these communities , this affects you directly. Your children may no longer have an opportunity to study music, to learn instruments, to sing in choirs. As a resident, cutting the arts has a tremendously negative effect on our schools. The long term results would be lower property values, discouraging people from residing in said communities.

Why is music so important?
Music is a part of a basic, well-rounded education, particularly in a urban setting such as Providence. To rob our children of an arts education, something that will so deeply impact the adults that they will grow-up to be... that should be the last place that we should look to cut costs.

What can I do?
You can help save a generation of our children by simply taking a few minutes to write a letter, compose an e-mail, or make a phone call. Apathy has become the standard... a local politician once said that seven letters on an issue is a big turnout. Everyone else assumes that someone else will take care of it!

Please take a few minutes and write, call, or e-mail your local representatives.

You can also support our music programs by writing letters to the editor or calling talk-radio programs.

1. Please call your local representative and senator NOW. If you do not know your local Representative or your Senator, please click here. Suggested Call: Hello, my name is [Name]. My child attends [School Name]. I am calling to urge you to support an increased level of state funding that will give all public school students in Rhode Island a quality and complete education, which should include music and the arts. I will vote for you, if you vote to support public education. Thank you! (Or, use your own words and say more if you want) Be sure to leave this important message on the answering machine or with the secretary.
2. Download a "Save Music Education" Flyer... and circulate them! RIMEA reminds you that you may need to check with your school's administrator before sending home flyers with your students.
   Flyer 1 - English: (PDF) (MS Word)
   Flyer 1 - Spanish: (PDF) (MS Word)
   Flyer 2 - English: (PDF) (MS Word)
3. Attend local school board meetings and sign up to voice your opinion about cuts to Music Education.
   • Smithfield Central Administration Contact Info
   • Smithfield School & Budget Committe Meetings
     • Smithfield HS driving directions
   • Johnston Central Administration Contact Info
   • Johnston School Committe Meetings
     • Ferri MS driving directions
4. You can also show support for our music programs by writing letters to the editor or calling local talk-radio programs.
   You may use the letter below 'word for word' or simply as a guide. RIMEA reminds you to please be responsible and respectful with all correspondence.

Dear State, City and Community Leaders: As a taxpayer and resident of the State of Rhode Island, I would like to take a moment to voice my concern about the uncertain future of the music programs in Rhode Island. According to the "No Child Left Behind Act" of 2001, the arts are an essential part of a well-rounded education. Often, exposure to the arts for many of our students often comes only through our public schools. Eliminating music and other art programs is a cruelty and disservice. I do understand that the school departments, local municipalities, and state are all facing a monumental budget crisis, but to rob our children of an arts education, something that will so deeply impact the adults that they will grow-up to be, that should be the last place that we should look to cut costs. There has to be another way to close the budget gap...there have to be a hundred alternatives to consider before eliminating music. Please remain vigorous in your pursuit of such alternatives. Please reconsider, and do everything in your power to help our students. I would like to remind you that you are in a position to help our children directly through your actions, whereas I can only use my voice, in some cases my vote, as well as my willingness to rally others to our cause. In summary, please do not let our music programs disappear from our schools. Our students are depending on you. Thank you. Respectfully, [Your name] [Your address, City, State]