SAMPLE WORDING OF A LETTER TO A PROVINCIAL PREMIER/STATE GOVERNOR

Name
Address
 
Date
 
 
 
Hon
Premier of
Address

Dear

We are writing you to protest the announced cutbacks in educational funding and the disastrous implications these cutbacks will have on the music programs in the Province if music and the other arts are targeted to receive disproportionate reductions. We are particularly concerned about the cutback in the _________________________ Board of Education.

We realize that we are living in a time, when budget restraints are a fact of life, but we believe that these reductions in funds will result in the disappearance of many of the extraordinarily fine music programs in our schools and the reduction of others to the level of mere tokenism.

It seems shortsighted to allow programs such as music and the other arts to be slashed when we know that they educate students in ways that no other subjects can. The arts stress creativity, lateral thinking, adaptability and problem solving. In our fast-changing world, creative thinkers and problem solvers are in great demand to cope with the difficulties that beset us. The Conference Board of Canada also thinks this and has published a list of skills that employers say they would like to see in their employees. These include.

the ability to think creatively,

the ability to learn new things,

the ability to communicate,

the ability to adapt to new conditions,

the ability to work well with others.

Good music programs can significantly assist in developing these skills.

The experience of participating in a choir or orchestra trains the student to be accurate (there is no such thing as being "sort of" right in a music performance), to concentrate and to cooperate with others.

In addition, music teaches knowledge of patterns and forms - so necessary in numeracy. Music teaches listening skills and enhances self-esteem by providing a place where all students can have success regardless of race, colour, gender, economics status or ability. Many students have said that the only reason they stayed in school was because of the music program.

Music and the other arts also create large numbers of Jobs. In, 1987, of Canada's 20 largest "industries" ,culture was fourth in persons employed, sixth in total wages and ninth in revenue. Between 1981 and 1991 the cultural labour force had grown 166%. Agriculture and the fisheries remained constant and forestry declined (Canadian Conference of the Arts, 1993).

Music and the other arts enrich the culture of towns and cities. What would Stratford be economically without the Festival? What would Toronto be without Roy Thomson Hall, the Ontario Art Gallery and the Museum? What would Ottawa be without the National Arts Centre? Cultural activities attract millions and millions of tourist dollars. People come from all over the USA and the world by bus, car, train and air to -see Miss Saigon, the Montreal Symphony and the Vancouver Arts Festival.

A 1993 study concluded that arts activities in the New York City area realize approximately $150, 000, 000 annually in tax revenue and add approximately $5.6 billion to the economy of the city. In the United States, live theatre outdraws the attendance of the National Football League, National Basketball Association and National Hockey League combined. In Toronto, one show alone (The Phantom of the Opera) had $64, 000, 000 in revenue last year - almost as much as the Toronto Blue Jays!

These events need artists, performers and audiences if they are to survive. If the students of today are deprived of meaningful study of music and the other arts in school they will never be able to appreciate or take part in creating a rich, cultural milieu in the future. If funding for music continues to be cut, bands and orchestras will disappear, choirs will be silent, and our children will not know the great joy that comes -from making music.

We would ask that you exert your influence to remind the school systems that music is an important subject and should not be cut in a disproportionate manner. If reductions in funding are required they should be made across all subject areas.

We would like an opportunity to meet with you and discuss our concerns regarding the current and future state of music education in We believe that the expertise in the educational field found, among our member organizations could help find solutions to this problem.

Thank you for your time.

Name
Address
Association