Keeping Music Alive in Our Schools

July 8, 2013

Dear Superintendent Brown and Buffalo Public School Board Members: "Our school manages to maintain an instrumental music program, year after year, without a budget, through the kind donations from The Mr. Hollands Opus Foundation and others. Not only are the students given the gift of music but the community enjoys the social benefits of students being kept out of trouble and away from danger. The Foundation understands that through their donation, an "ounce of prevention" has prevailed over a "pound of cure". Thank you so much." Buffalo Public School music teacher On behalf of the undersigned individuals and national organizations that support music education, we write to you in response to the districts decision to eliminate music programs at 14 Buffalo Public Schools in the 2013/14 school year. Many of us have made sizable and sincere investments of resources in your district for the benefit of your students and this news is not only disheartening but alarming. It is our collective belief that the discipline, confidence and skill gained through music education positively impacts all areas of study for students. Research shows that children engaged in music education are typically better behaved, achieve higher grades in academic subjects and higher scores on standardized tests. Music programs have proven to be a catalyst for increased attendance and graduation rates. Collectively, several of our organizations have invested millions of dollars worth of supplies, services and resources in school music programs within your district. Unfortunately, Buffalo Public Schools decision to cut these programs roadblocks the progress made by your students over the past decade, and will result in withholding further financial and in-kind support for your district.

4370 Tujunga Avenue, Suite 330 Studio City, CA 91604 (818) 762-4328 info@mhopus.org mhopus.org

Keeping Music Alive in Our Schools

The elimination of these programs will immediately impact next years class and future generations of Buffalo students. We strongly encourage you to reconsider your decision. Sincerely, Marty Albertson, Chairman, The Mr. Hollands Opus Foundation and Guitar Center Madelyn Bonnot, Executive Director, Quincy Jones Musiq Consortium Paul Cothran, Vice President & Executive Director, VH1 Save the Music Foundation Bob Ezrin, Producer and Fellow of the Royal Conservatory of Music Nora Halpern, Vice President of Leadership Alliances, Americans for the Arts Quincy Jones, Producer, Quincy Jones Musiq Consortium Joe Lamond, President & CEO, NAMM Mary Luehrsen, Executive Director, NAMM Foundation Robert Lynch, President & CEO, Americans for the Arts Brian T. Majeski, Editor, The Music Trades Magazine Felice Mancini, President & CEO, The Mr. Hollands Opus Foundation

4370 Tujunga Avenue, Suite 330 Studio City, CA 91604 (818) 762-4328 info@mhopus.org mhopus.org