Finding Sanctuary

Description

Band teachers often struggle to adequately communicate the value and importance of band participation with building principals and community stakeholders. As a result, many educators and parents remain unaware of the value of the school band beyond obvious, natural entertainment contexts and find it easy to devalue school band along with other arts programming. Research evidence that music and art education programs promote improved student motivation and engagement levels as connected to academic achievement and success in school is often underutilized by educators. This text highlights clear evidence that supports music and school band as methods to achieve improved student success in school. It is hoped that the material in this text will better inform decisions that school administrators make about existing scheduling challenges and financial dilemmas facing American schools.

Finding Sanctuary highlights factors that will help school administrators and community stakeholders better understand the true value of school band. The author explores relevant research regarding the relationship between music education, academic success, and social engagement in school. He further discusses an exploration of student perceptions regarding the reasons they participate in band, how band participation supports their academic goals, and how students view band within the larger context of their experiences in school. A systematic approach was used to create a viable narrative that, when added to existing literature, provides a better understanding of the topic for those decision-makers struggling to find justifications for how and why band is an important option for student schedules in school.

Research provides a strong case for the claim that many students are intellectually, emotionally, expressively, and musically nurtured by membership in school band. Finding

Sanctuary presents powerful reasons for students to participate in school band. The information presented here provides insight into the value of band participation from environmental, behavioral, and cognitive viewpoints. It highlights the importance of band as a social and emotional support space where students can find sanctuary from the stressors of their lives.