Sustaining Choral Music Education: The VH1 Save the Music Model, Can It Be Adapted to Choral Music Education?

This thesis report examines organizational support structures for music education in the United States, and their increasing importance in this age of high-stakes testing. It begins by providing an overview of the history of music education in America and the policies that lead to the development of the No Child Left Behind Act. Next, the report provides examples of organizational supporters that are available to communities, educators, public schools, and advocates. One particular model is examined thoroughly, as it has made a significant impact on restoring music education programs on a national level. In the past ten years, VH1 Save the Music Foundation has restored instrumental music programs in over 1,500 schools, reaching one million children. The study looks at the model's history, programmatic structure, initiatives and funding patterns. While the Foundation is successful in restoring instrumental music programs on a national level, it does not work in the area of choral music education. The final phase of the report will address the feasibility of extending the model to choral music education.