Playback - Fall 2008 - (Page 26)

WASHINGTON WATCH Did you know Kids who study music in school actually earn more money as adults? It’s true. A poll by Harris Interactive, an independent research company, showed that 88 percent of people with a postgraduate education were involved in school music, and 83 percent of people earning $150,000 or more had music education. Republican National Convention September 1–5, 2008 St. Paul, Minnesota The opening of the Republican National Convention (RNC) was hindered by the appearance of Hurricane Gustav, which turned out to be bad, but thankfully much less so than originally anticipated. Many anti-war protests and an already-somber mood made the event less festive and more focused on the business of selecting a presidential nominee. NAMM and Americans for the Arts again staged an event, this time at the Minnesota Children’s Museum, to discuss the importance of music and the arts in education. Award-winning actor, dancer, choreographer and director Debbie Allen; Missouri Governor Matt Blunt; Chairman of the U.S. Conference of Mayors Tom Cochrane; U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Kan.) and Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne. Gov. Huckabee (a musician himself) described how he dealt with opponents of music education, saying, “When people told me in Arkansas that we couldn’t afford music and arts - John Rich, programs in schools, I Former Arkansas Big and Rich told them that if we are Governor Mike really trying to educate Huckabee moderated students instead of merely the discussion on the doing a data dump into their brains, we future of the arts and arts education in couldn’t afford NOT to have them.” America with several featured speakers: GRAMMY Award-winning artist John Rich Huckabee urged everyone in attendance to of the country group Big and Rich; Emmy “Music and the arts breaks down barriers—race, financial status and cliques and really levels the playing field with kids.” become more politically active in influencing local legislation and education policy. He also humorously reminded the group that “Republicans do like art too!” Gov. Blunt, who has demonstrated a 700-percent increase in arts funding in Missouri during his administration, shared his secrets of success with the crowd, saying that he communicates the strong economic impact of the arts around the state to garner wide support from all concerned. When asked about how greater focus on the arts would benefit America, Rep. Tiahrt said, “The next economy will incorporate more creativity, and that only comes from exposure to the arts.” 26 PLAYback

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Playback - Fall 2008

Playback - Fall 2008 Contents From the President NAMM Events Music in the News Voices of Our Past, Present and Future: NAMM Oral History Program Celebrates a Major Milestone Commercial Retail Reps in the Field NAMM@AARP New Domestic Members Washington Watch International NAMM Foundation Music Notes Resources Viewpoint

Playback - Fall 2008

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