Every March, music educators, students, families, and arts organizations across the country come together to celebrate Music in Our Schools Month® (MIOSM®), a time to champion the value of music education and its profound impact on young learners. Here at the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra (LCSO), we couldn’t be prouder to join this celebration and to highlight the incredible work happening right here in our community.
Why Music in Our Schools Matters
Music education is so much more than learning to read notes or play an instrument. Research consistently shows that students who participate in music programs demonstrate stronger critical thinking skills, higher academic achievement, and greater social-emotional resilience. Music teaches teamwork, discipline, creativity, and confidence, all skills that follow students throughout their entire lives.
That’s why MIOSM® holds such a special place in our hearts. It’s a reminder that music belongs in every school, for every child.
NAfME: A Powerful Resource for Music Educators
The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) is the driving force behind Music in Our Schools Month®, and their resources are invaluable for educators, parents, and arts advocates alike. Here are just a few of the tools NAfME provides:
For Educators: NAfME offers an extensive library of lesson plans, curriculum frameworks, and professional development opportunities tailored to music teachers at every level. Their online resource center includes standards-aligned materials that make it easier than ever to bring engaging, high quality music instruction into the classroom.
Advocacy Tools: NAfME equips communities with the data, talking points, and action resources needed to advocate for music programs at the local and national level. Their research on the benefits of music education is particularly powerful when speaking with school boards or administrators about protecting and growing music programs.
The MIOSM Toolkit: Each year, NAfME releases a free MIOSM® toolkit filled with promotional materials, activity ideas, and social media resources so schools and organizations can make the most of March. Educators can access it at nafme.org to find everything from door hangers and posters to ready-made events and performance ideas.
Student Opportunities: NAfME also connects students with honor ensembles, competitions, and national recognition programs that celebrate young musicians’ achievements and inspire them to reach new heights.
The LCSO and Our Schools
The La Porte County Symphony Orchestra believes deeply that our work extends well beyond the concert hall. Our connection to local schools is one of the most meaningful parts of what we do, and Music in Our Schools Month® gives us the perfect opportunity to celebrate it.
Children’s Education Concerts: Each year, the LCSO presents our Children’s Education Concerts designed specifically for school-age audiences. These performances bring students face-to-face with a live symphony orchestra, many for the very first time, and open their ears and imaginations to the world of orchestral music. Hearing a full orchestra in person is a transformative experience, and we love being the ones to provide it.
In-School Outreach: Our musicians and guest artists visit schools throughout La Porte County to give demonstrations, masterclasses, and small ensemble performances. These visits give students a chance to interact directly with professional musicians, ask questions, and discover what it’s like to pursue music at a higher level.
Instrument Petting Zoos: We know that curiosity is the first step to a lifelong love of music. That’s why we bring hands-on instrument experiences to students, letting them touch, hold, and try out orchestral instruments in a fun, low-pressure setting.
Student Apprentice Program: Through the orchestra’s Student Apprentice Program, high school students get firsthand experience at auditioning for and performing with a professional symphony orchestra. Students in the program can then pass on what they have learned to their peers, music program, and students.
Join Us This March
Music in Our Schools Month® is a celebration that belongs to all of us. Whether you’re a parent, a teacher, a student, or simply someone who loves music, you can be part of it. Attend a concert, share a NAfME resource with a teacher you know, or post about a young musician in your life.
And of course, we invite you to stay connected with the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra as we continue our work to bring music to every corner of our community. Together, we can ensure that the gift of music education reaches every child in La Porte County and beyond, this month and all year long.
To celebrate the start of MIOSM®, join the LCSO on March 8th at 3:00 pm at the Holdcraft Performing Arts Center in Michigan City! More information can be found by clicking the button below.