Here is a compilation of ideas to help promote instrumental music. Do you have other ideas? We are happy to make the list longer, just let us know.
- Send a press release to your local paper announcing your activities supporting music education. Highlight the importance of the program in your schools.
- Coordinate a series of radio public service announcements to run each day during the month of March.
- Provide a flyer to all local hotels to place in guest rooms and/or at the concierge stations that promotes music education in your community. Leading Tone can print these for you!
- Work with local groups to dedicate every local music event during March to encourage support for music education.
- Write an op-ed on the value of the music education to your community.
- Arrange student performances at schools, local businesses, the public library or City Hall so the community can see the program. Or have a recital at Leading Tone.
- Obtain an official proclamation from your Mayor or City Council dedicating a day or the month of March as Music in or School Month.
- Ask your local cinema to show a slide supporting music education programs before each movie begins or ask to have them run a VH1 Save The Music PSA.
- Plan a reception and invite the business community to learn about your VH1 Save The Music efforts provided that you are currently a VH1 Save The Music campaign.
- Suggest local businesses “adopt” a music program for the month.
- Design posters for your local transportation authority to display in buses and subways.
- Ask your local weatherman to mention your VH1 Save The Music campaign, provided that you are currently a VH1 Save The Music campaign, and to salute local music programs during March.
- Ask a local airport to hang your banner with a number to call for information.
- Organize a parade.
- Play the public service announcements on your local radio stations. Place print PSA’s in local newspapers and magazines.
- Create a bumper sticker. Leading Tone can print these for you!
- Ask to have a full page ad donated in your local paper highlighting the benefits of music in your school.
- Recommend to local businesses that they mention your campaign on receipts or automated mailings.
- Encourage public performances in the town square, on the sidewalk, etc.
- Take your school board members to lunch to talk about the importance of local music programs.
- Hold a one-day (or longer!) mall music showcase/instrument drive. Work with a local radio station to help promote your efforts.
- Ask the local convention and visitors bureau to include information about your campaign in all mailings.
- Does your city have its own magazine? Get them involved with a local story about your activities!
- Ask local reporters and newscasters to mention your campaign in stories on local events.
- Organize a community talent show.
- Establish a “Music Education Award” for an outstanding administrator who has demonstrated strong support for music in your community.
- Write a letter to your Member of Congress listing events in the district during the month. Invite him or her to participate!
- Suggest to your local public television station a panel on local music education and the importance of music for children; offer to coordinate a panel of speakers.
- Alert your newspaper’s “datebook” section to include your activities.
- E-mail everyone you know and encourage them to participate in the month-long celebration of music in our schools.
- Provide taxicab companies with flyers or receipts supporting your campaign.
- Encourage presenters to add your campaign on monthly imprint for all ticket performances.
- Print bookmarks for distribution at bookstores and libraries. Leading Tone can print these for you!
- Ask local banks to enclose information in bills. Have them post information/posters in their branches.
- Create inserts for performance centers to be included in their programs.
- Arrange for movie theaters to display information on their marquis.
- Sponsor essay competitions for children to write about why music is important to them.
- Arrange for the local newspaper to run the winning entry.
- Ask the supermarket or other retailers to print paper bags with your logo.
- Contact MENC and receive information about their Music In Our Schools Month activities.
- Turn local performance into “informances” with program information and remarks from the stage. Place messages/factoids/PSA’s in local concert programs (this includes local elementary, middle school and high school concerts, professional plays, concerts and events).
- Place factoids into school performance programs during the month of March (or all year long!).
- Don’t forget to tell VH1 Save The Music about the events & activities you have planned in your area.
- Give a speech to your local chamber of commerce, Kiwanas club or civitan luncheon on the importance of music education.
- Use various advocacy videos to inform others about the need to support music education for children.
- Music Education Project- Deliver CD to local public radio station. Ask them to play the stories and create a local story during the month of March.
- Be Creative! Look for opportunities to tie in with existing events to promote your music education initiative and the message (symphony concerts, band concerts, holiday events, local music education meetings, etc.).
- Hold a local Telethon/Radiothon to raise money for your efforts.
- Write letters to the editor of your local newspaper to support your efforts.
- Start your own list of creative ways to support music education in your community.