The WMEA Advocacy Committee (formerly Wisconsin Advocates for Music Education) is made up of educators, parents, business people, and other community members who believe all children deserve a well-rounded education that includes music and the arts. Thank you for your support of music education – and for helping decision-makers understand that “Music Makes The Difference.”
Additional information related to the WMEA Advocacy Committee can be found on the WMEA Facebook (@WMEAMusic) and Twitter (@WMEAmusic) pages. Be sure to follow these pages for all-things WMEA, including advocacy and so much more!
Thanks for sharing with others who may be interested in music advocacy!
Advocacy Events and Initiatives
2020 Wisconsin Drive-In Day
Wednesday, February 12, 2020, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Wisconsin State Capitol, Madison, WI
On February 12, 2020, the WMEA Advocacy Committee will host the Wisconsin Drive-In Day at the Capitol in Madison. At this annual event, participants meet with Wisconsin legislators to advocate for a specific ASK regarding music education. More information about our 2020 ASK will be available closer to the Drive-In Day.
The WMEA Advocacy Committee is asking for strong participation at the Wisconsin Drive-In Day, including representatives from all districts in which state legislators serve on the WI Committee on Education. Please join us in Madison to advocate for music education – we need your voice at this important event!
Registration for 2020 Wisconsin Drive-In Day: https://bit.ly/2qrfhkb
Report Card Initiative
The WMEA Advocacy Committee has been involved in an initiative focused on the inclusion of data related to music and the arts on school district report cards. This included a formal ASK of legislators at the State Capitol as part of the 2018 Wisconsin Drive-In Day, collaboration with the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) as part of the 2019 Wisconsin Drive-In Event at the Wisconsin Center for Music Education, and more. At present, this initiative has moved to legislative action, including Assembly Bill 67 and Senate Bill 64, which contain the following language:
This bill requires the Department of Public Instruction to include in the annual school district and school accountability report, commonly referred to as school and school district report cards, the percentage of pupils participating in music, dance, drama, and visual arts. Under the bill, DPI must include this information for each high school and school district and must also include the statewide percentage of pupils participating in each subject. The bill specifies that this information may not be used to evaluate a school’s performance or school district’s improvement.
Be sure to check back on the links above to keep up with the latest on these important bills.
Dynamic Futures
Saturday, November 2, 2019, 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Oregon Middle School, Oregon, WI
This one-day workshop will be a day of inspiration, dialogue, and learning between all participants. Participants will have the opportunity to work with master teachers as they conduct band and orchestra rehearsals. In addition, participants will engage in workshops and seminars on score study and lesson planning, interact with a new-teacher panel, and learn more about being a music educator.
For more information about the Dynamic Futures, visit https://wmeamusic.org/conference/aspiring-music-majors-program.
Aspiring Music Majors (see above) & Dynamic Futures are sponsored by:
Aspiring Music Majors Program
Friday, October 25, 2019 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Monona Terrace Convention Center, Madison
Encourage your high school students to register for the Aspiring Music Majors Program that will be held on Friday at the Wisconsin State Music Conference. A part of the Wisconsin State Music Conference, the Aspiring Music Majors Program will introduce high school, this special one-day program will introduce high school sophomores, juniors and seniors to the world of music at the post-secondary level. Students will have the opportunity to visit music representatives from Wisconsin’s universities and colleges, take in special conference sessions, performances and exhibits, and get advice from current music majors.
For more information about the Aspiring Music Majors Program, visit https://wmeamusic.org/conference/aspiring-music-majors-program.
Aspiring Music Majors & Dynamic Futures (see below) are sponsored by:
