Welcome! Below you will see all of our current applications.
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About Music for All
Music for All’s mission is to create, provide, and expand positively life-changing experiences through music for all. Our vision is to be a catalyst to ensure every child in America has access and opportunity to active music-making in his or her scholastic environment.
Music for All combines programming at a national level with arts education advocacy. Bands of America (BOA) and Orchestra America are programs of Music for All, founded in 1975, recognized as the pinnacle of educational programming for high school instrumental music programs nationwide. Music for All reaches a vast number of people; each year, more than 300,000 people attend our events, more than 85,000 teens participate, and 100,000 people subscribe to online services.
Music for All is committed to expanding the role of music and the arts in education, to heightening the public’s appreciation of the value of music and arts education, and to creating a positive environment for the arts through societal change. Working with leading national authorities and other non-profit organizations, Music for All invests resources and personnel in projects that expand access to public school music and arts programs through advocacy and public awareness efforts to support music and arts education.
Music for All is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational organization.
Advocacy in Action is a signature program of Music for All designed to collect, recognize, and share effective practices and initiatives that support music education in our schools. We hope that by celebrating music programs, we can inspire others to lead by example and take action in their own programs and communities. The Advocacy in Action Awards recognize and celebrate the commitment of school administrators, community leaders, teachers, and parents who believe in music education and are advocating to ensure that it is part of a comprehensive education for all children.
The Awards highlight the benefits of a strong music program and show what your school or community is doing to provide access and opportunity for active music-making. The Awards also allow educators to showcase their own music programs that are sometimes overlooked or not fully understood by members of the public beyond the school community. Advocacy initiatives can be submitted in one of six categories.
Please select the category that best fits your initiative. Music programs are welcome to submit more than one application per category.
Community Involvement
...recognizing non-fundraising-based community involvement.
Music programs are an integral part of their school and local communities. Visibility and engagement within a community are mutually beneficial, developing and strengthening critical relationships while showcasing student achievement. Community involvement leads to an increased understanding of the benefits of music education and encourages support for continued growth and excellence.
Decision-Maker Engagement
...recognizing productive engagement and collaboration with decision-makers.
Understanding how decisions impacting music programs are made and engaging with those involved is essential. Whether in a school building, the local community, or beyond, engagement with school and community leaders, influential stakeholders, and elected officials builds understanding and support for the needs of music programs.
Elementary Excellence
...recognizing exceptional and inspirational strategies and programming in elementary school music programs.
Elementary school music programs provide students with early musical experiences that can inspire a life-long appreciation of the arts. The most successful Elementary music programs inspire the entire school population through a robust curriculum, creative concert programming, and community engagement. Supportive administrators, involved parents, and innovative educators empower the success of Elementary school music programs.
Innovative Fundraising
...recognizing productive engagement and collaboration with decision-makers.
Fundraising is vital for music programs to provide an outstanding music education and enable the participation of all students. Strategic fundraising initiatives, including individual donations and business sponsorships, provide needed resources beyond what schools and districts fund. Through fundraising, stakeholders recognize the financial needs of music programs and have immediate and meaningful opportunities to lend support.
Marketing & Promotion
...recognizing outstanding strategies for marketing and promotional efforts.
High-quality music programs demonstrate a commitment to increasing the visibility of their program. Advocating through marketing or promotion can happen online, through print materials, and even spirit wear items. The goal in marketing and promoting your program is to establish a presence and positive brand among students, families, and the community.
Parent/Booster Support
...recognizing exceptional volunteer efforts from parents/boosters.
Efficient, organized support from parents/boosters is crucial to the success of music programs and their students. Parents/boosters fill an essential role in day-to-day operations, supporting priorities identified by teachers and helping students. Cultivating a vast parent/booster network demonstrates a commitment to furthering the capabilities of the entire music program.
Student Recruitment, Engagement, & Retention
...recognizing exceptional strategies for student recruitment, engagement, and retention.
Regardless of the age students join a music program at school, recruitment initiatives ensure all students have the opportunity to participate. Many students consider the time spent in music class as the best part of their school day. Retention and engagement efforts aim to support and encourage students while instilling a lifelong appreciation of music.
ELIGIBILITY
- Any United States scholastic music program (curricular or extracurricular), scholastic music booster organization, or external PK-12 arts organization is eligible to enter.
- All curricular and extracurricular scholastic music programs are eligible to submit entries. This includes band, choir, color guard, orchestra, general music, and any other type of scholastic music program.
- Programs serving any age level (elementary, middle, or high school) are eligible.
- Public, private, parochial, and charter schools are eligible.
- Any individual may submit an application (teacher, student, parent, etc.). All applications will require the signature of the program educator/instructor.
- Eligible entries must have been produced or implemented during the 2023-24 academic school year.
- Each entry must be completed in its entirety in order to be eligible for review.
- Each entry must be submitted by 11:59pm EST on August 12, 2024 in order to be eligible for review.
FEE
There is no entry fee. Our intention is to ensure this program is accessible to anyone who may be interested in applying.
ENTRIES
- Each advocacy initiative will be considered one entry. One program can submit multiple entries in multiple categories; however, each entry requires a separate application.
- Supporting materials may be included with each entry. Applicants may submit up to 10 photos, documents, videos, and/or objects supporting their entry. Video materials must follow our video submission guidelines.
- Questions about which category your entry best falls into? Email us at education.musicforall.org.
SELECTION PROCESS
Entries will be reviewed by members of Music for All's Advocacy in Action advisory committee.
AWARD RECIPIENTS
- All award recipients will be notified by email in early December 2024. Notification will be sent to the contact listed on the entry form.
- Honorees may be asked to submit additional information or be interviewed for Advocacy in Action promotional materials.
- 2025 Advocacy in Action award recipients will be publicly announced and showcased beginning in January 2025.
- Award recipients will be promoted as featured advocacy content throughout the 2025 Music for All National Festival, Summer Symposium, and Bands of America Championships.
- Award recipients will also be promoted at state and national music education events where Music for All has a presence.
RELEASE & USAGE
By submitting your entry to the Advocacy in Action Awards, you grant Music for All the right to use any submitted materials, including but not limited to photos and video, for editorial, analytical, promotional, or any other purposes without additional compensation or permission. In addition, you acknowledge that your entry and any corresponding materials are not returnable. The complete submission of an entry indicates acknowledgment and agreement to these terms.
VIDEO SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Video submissions and supporting video materials may be submitted in one of two ways. You may upload a link to a video hosted via an online platform, such as YouTube or Vimeo, or videos may also be submitted as digital attachments. Videos submissions should be limited to a 20-minute maximum length.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Information about creating your Submittable account, Music for All, and other Music for All programs you can apply for can be found here: https://musicforallinc.submittable.com/submit
The Patrick John Hughes Parent/Booster Award acknowledges the support, involvement and contributions to the advancement and success of a scholastic music education program. Presented annually by Music for All, the award is named in honor of Mr. Patrick John Hughes, a music parent who has inspired millions. Learn more about the award and the inspiring story of Patrick John Hughes at education.musicforall.org/hughes.
Nominations must be completed by Friday, August 30, 2024 at 11:59 PM EST. If you have any questions about the Parent/Booster Award, please contact: Emily Timmons, Education and Advocacy Coordinator, at 317-218-4922 or Emily.t@musicforall.org.
Qualifications
All current, active parents, boosters, or supporters of any scholastic music education program are eligible for nomination. The program does not have to be affiliated with Music for All or Bands of America. Former or inactive parents, boosters, and supporters of Music for All and/or Bands of America participating programs may also be nominated.
Selection Criteria
Nominees will be evaluated based on the following selection criteria:
- Value of Service
- Level of involvement with the music program
- Strength of the letters of support
- Results achieved by nominee
- Power of story to motivate others
- Creativity of the nomination entry
- Audio/video supporting materials
The winner will be notified by September 27, 2024 and invited to participate in an awards ceremony at the Grand National Championships in Indianapolis on Friday evening, November 15, 2024. Music for All will provide hotel accommodations (one room, double occupancy) for three nights and VIP tickets to all Grand Nationals events for up to four family members. Round trip airfare will be provided for up to two people.
If you have any questions about the Parent/Booster Award, please contact: Emily Timmons, Education and Advocacy Coordinator, at 317-218-4922 or emily.t@musicforall.org.
Thank you for honoring the outstanding Parent/Booster in your life!