Music Advocacy Speech to the Parma City School District

Описание: Speech presented on 5/26/2010 at the Regular Session of the PCSD School Board meeting which began at 5:30pm in the cafeteria of Parma Senior High School. (This is a practice run for the speech, as I wasn't able to get a video recording of the actual speech)

Full Text:
Good evening, everyone. My name is Jason Mlady and I would like to begin by saying that, quite simply, I would not be who I am nor at the point I am in my life without the opportunities afforded to me through the Parma City School District's programs in music and the arts.
I am currently in the Purdue University "All-American Marching Band" and the secretary of the Purdue chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity. The mission of the fraternity states, "Kappa Kappa Psi is a fraternal organization that promotes the advancement of college and university bands through dedicated service and support to bands; comprehensive education; leadership opportunities; and recognition; for the benefit of its members and society."
Out of even more than simply "dedicated service and support to bands," I cannot sit back and watch this district systematically remove music and art programs, along with many others, from its buildings and educational curricula.
The mission of the Parma City School District states that it strives to stimulate critical thinking, sound decision-making, effective communication, cultural appreciation, and the joy of life-long learning. Through these means, the district is, "developing the leaders of the future."
Today you considered the proposed suspension of the job of deputy superintendant and you recently have lain off 55 teachers, of which seven were music teachers. This is not the way to save money or "develop the leaders of the future."
However, this is not all. It has been discussed at prior meetings and is currently being rumored across the region that the district will soon be further cutting programs that benefit the musical and artistic futures of so many students in the Parma City Schools. This, too, is far from the means by which this district can develop tomorrow's leaders. The budget should not dictate what does and does make the cut of being included in any student's past, present, or future.
Enclosed in the packets, which I have provided to each of you, are numerous testaments to the successes and benefits of such music and art programs. Also enclosed are a list of questions and concerns which I would like addressed by whatever means you each feel appropriate to the matters at hand.
You each need to look at your own pasts -- pasts which I'm sure have in some way been touched by some form of music or another -- and evaluate how much more you can do for this district which you oversee each and every day. Give back. Come to concerts. Advocate to the community. Help us keep these programs, and help us to help you to do the same.
John Dewey, an American philosopher, psychologist, and educational reformer once said, "Art is not the possession of the few who are recognized writers, painters, musicians; it is the authentic expression of any and all individuality. Those who have the gift of creative expression in unusually large measure disclose the meaning of the individuality of others to those others. In participating in the work of art, they become artists in their activity. They learn to know and honor individuality in whatever form it appears. The fountains of creative activity are discovered and released. The free individuality which is the source of art is also the final source of creative development in time."