The SupportMusic Coalition and the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus teamed up this fall to produce a series of SupportMusic Community Forums in cities across the U.S.
Two of the forums were held in Pennsylvania — one on October 3 at Baldwin High School in Pittsburgh, and another on October 4 at Martin Luther King High School in Philadelphia.
The forums were broadcast live through the technology of The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus. Videos of the Pittsburgh forum and Philadelphia forum are archived on the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus’s YouTube channel.
Link to view Philadelphia Forum
Both events brought together arts and education leaders in Pennsylvania to discuss the importance of music education and advocacy efforts. Each forum included pre-show interviews and student performances, followed by a panel discussion moderated by Mary Luehrsen, executive director of the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation. The Pittsburgh Forum pre-show was hosted by Progressive Music’s own Mark Despotakis.
Joining Mary during the Pittsburgh Forum program was Ron Cowell, president, The Education Policy and Leadership Center; Margaret Bauer, executive director, Pennsylvania Music Educators Association; Angela Abadilla, senior program officer of arts education, Pittsburgh Public Schools; Greg Steele, band director, Baldwin High School; Mark Despotakis, director of market development, Progressive Music; Laura Abbott, manager of policy projects, The Education Policy and Leadership Center; Megan Kraus, general music teacher, Baldwin-Whitehall School District; Dr. Sarah Tambucci, director, Arts Education Collaborative; and Jamie Kasper, associate director, Arts Education Collaborative.
About The SupportMusic Coalition
SupportMusic.com is a public service initiative that impacts resolve and support for music education in local communities around the United States and abroad. This advocacy effort now unites 588 national, regional and international organizations comprised of parents and community leaders seeking to improve access and opportunity in music and arts learning. Tens of thousands of concerned citizens visit the website every month and use its resources to keep music education strong in their schools and communities.
The music education coalition and SupportMusic.com are led by NAMM, the National Association of Music Merchants, and NAfME, the National Association for Music Education.
About Progressive Music
Progressive Music is a business with a mission to enrich the quality of life serving as a cultural and community center for all who make music for a living or personal enjoyment, regardless of age of ability. Progressive Music is the link between the public and suppliers of quality musical merchandise. The Progressive Music staff are professionals whose expertise assist, guide, and motivate people in the selection of music industry products as well present music education to the public through lessons, seminars and advocacy. Progressive Music is committed to their products with an experienced and knowledgeable service center. To learn more, visit www.progressivemusiccompany.com or visit Progressive Music on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.