Music In Our Schools Month Hits Milestone

Cutline: The Marshall County Schools Music educators are pictured with Dr. Haines. From left front row: Sue Lewicki, Leslie Tedesco, Dr. Shelby Haines, Tracey Filben and Kathy Fox. Middle row: Dawn Boyd, Laura Oswalt, Rachel Price (student teacher), Keenan Seditz, Eli Lambie, Christian Oliver, Julianna Perkowski (student teacher) and David Scherrick. Back row: Michael Murphy, Evan Williams, Stephen Oswalt, Joshua Garrett, Shaun Hancher, Justin Jones and Alex Talkowski. Not pictured: Ashley Elliott.

For 40 years, March has been designated by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) as Music In Our Schools Month (MIOSM). The positive impact of music education in the lives of students lasts a lifetime. Therefore, ensuring equitable access to music education for the youngest members of our society—students—is paramount.

To recognize this celebratory month, Marshall County Schools Superintendent Dr. Shelby Haines has signed a resolution naming March as Music In Our Schools Month in Marshall County.

Everyone is encouraged to acknowledge Music Education is an essential part of every student’s well-rounded education. Music educators and music students in Marshall County schools will be celebrating music education in their school. This year’s theme is “United through Music.”

“The music programs offered through Marshall County Schools impact the lives of all students,” Haines explained. “We are blessed to have such talented music educators who share their passion with students on a daily basis.”

Every day, in classrooms and rehearsal rooms across our school district, music educators dedicate themselves to reaching all students with life-changing musical experiences. Parents, administrators, and the wider community often only see the wonderful results of music performances; however, they miss the months of practice and rehearsals and more importantly the learning process that takes place to make it all happen.

Music educators from Marshall County Schools, and around the Mountain State, will be in Charleston this week, March 6-8, 2025, for the 79^th annual West Virginia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference expanding their knowledge by attending workshop sessions on all levels of music instruction.

The conference also gives Marshall County students unique performance opportunities through inspiring concerts, under the direction of nationally-known conductors, which are held to spotlight the top honors performing organizations in the state.

The impact of music education is evident in how its social-emotional benefits have empowered students and brought joy in their communities. Every day, in music classrooms across the United States, music educators dedicate themselves to reaching all students with life-changing musical experiences. What parents, administrators, and the wider community have not always had the opportunity to observe, however, is the months of practice and rehearsals, and the process of learning that takes place in the music classroom—whether virtual or distanced in person.

Each school year provides an opportunity for music educators to show that process through “informances”—when students demonstrate various learning stages—before the performances at the end of that process. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to show their growth and learning in the music classroom—and for educators to share the incredible work they are doing in their music programs. NAfME also celebrates the music program leaders, superintendents, school boards, parents, and local businesses that support their local schools’ music programs and the difference music makes in the lives of students.