2021 Symposium on Music in Schools
Equity & Opportunity: Advancing Music Learning Ecosystems
Wednesday, June 23, 2021
12:30–4 p.m. (EDT)
A free, virtual event
Building on this transformational moment in our nation’s history, the Yale School of Music hosted a free virtual symposium in which expert panelists and attendees explore the importance of developing community music learning ecosystems to ensure an active music life for every child.
Such a future will be rooted in the belief that every child deserves an active music life. It will extend to the school environment – led by certified music educators – and to outside arts and community organizations. It will depend on prioritizing collaboration over competition between organizations and programs. It will connect funders, school officials, governmental agencies, the private sector, and the field of music at its broadest sense. Most important, this future will require a clear mission of shared endeavor, collaboration, and mutual respect.
We encourage everyone who serves, works in, and supports music learning ecosystems to take part in this initiative as we envision a future of equity and opportunity in music for every student.
Symposium details
Schedule
- Welcome from Yale University President Peter Salovey and Yale School of Music Dean Robert Blocker
- Welcome from Yale School of Music Associate Dean Michael Yaffe
- A message from United States Senator for Connecticut Chris Murphy
- Interview with Cindy Marten, Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education
- Panel: “The Urgency & Significance of Developing Music Learning Ecosystems”
Michael Yaffe
Associate Dean, Yale School of Music, moderator
Carlos Abril
Professor of Music Education & Associate Dean of Research, Frost School of Music, University of Miami, panelist
Jennifer Olson
Executive Director, Think 360 - Arts for Learning, panelist
Tarik Ward
Director of Strategic Operations and Music Programs at ELMA Philanthropies Inc., panelist
Kristi Wilson
Superintendent, Buckeye (AZ) School District; President, The School Superintendents Association, panelist - A message from United States Senator for Connecticut Richard Blumenthal
- In Action: Living the Music Learning Ecosystem
Featuring New Haven Public School students and alumni - Town Hall: “How Do We Create and Expand Music Learning Ecosystems?"
Mary Luehrsen
Executive Director of the NAMM Foundation and Director of NAMM Public Affairs and Government Relations, co-host
David Dik
National Executive Director, Young Audiences Arts for Learning, co-host
Bob Morrison
Founder & CEO, Quadrant Research, session presenter
Chris Duncombe
Senior Policy Analyst, Education Commission of the States, session presenter
Claus von Zastrow
Principal, Education Commission of the States, session presenter
Nicholas Lewis
Senior Associate Dean & Special Advisor to the President for Strategic Engagement, Curtis Institute of Music, session presenter - Finale and Closing Remarks
*Schedule is subject to change
Symposium Senior Advisors
David Dik, National Executive Director of Young Audiences Arts for Learning
Rachel Glodo, Program Specialist, Yale School of Music
Mary Luehrsen, Executive Director of the NAMM Foundation; Director of NAMM Public Affairs and Government Relations
Tarik Ward, Director of Strategic Operations and Music Programs at ELMA Philanthropies Inc.
Michael Yaffe, Associate Dean, Yale School of Music and Director, Symposium on Music in Schools
About the Symposium
The Symposium on Music in Schools has been held biannually at the Yale School of Music since 2007. With support from an endowment created by the Yale College Class of 1957, the Symposium was created with the goal of bringing together leaders to discuss how music education might best become an integral and important part of the curriculum of public schools.
The 2017 Symposium on Music in Schools resulted in the Declaration on Equity in Music for City Students, which calls for “every student in every city in America to have access to an active music life.” This declaration continues to impact discussions about the role music plays in urban education.
The 2019 Symposium was focused on the intersecting, complementing roles of music educators and teaching artists. Although its public dissemination has been delayed by the global pandemic, the School of Music anticipates releasing its results later this year.
In 2021, the Symposium will transition into an online, public event open to all those who work and serve in their music learning ecosystem.
The Symposium on Music in Schools is part of the Music in Schools Initiative, which is supported by a gift from the Yale College Class of 1957.
