At this year’s Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, the TeachMusic! Coalition convened to address some of the most significant challenges and opportunities in music education. Representing a diverse network of organizations, including the NFHS and 40 other national-level organizations, the coalition reaffirmed its shared vision: to ensure that music education thrives for future generations. 

The meeting was a testament to the power of collaboration. Participants tackled issues ranging from workforce development and mentorship to the evolving role of technology in recruiting educators. These discussions underscored the urgency of the coalition’s mission amid growing teacher shortages and shifting educational priorities nationwide. 

Central to the conversation was the development of resources to strengthen the music education profession. TeachMusic.org, the coalition’s online hub, continues to expand, with new features like the Alternative Licensure page offering pathways for those seeking to enter the field through nontraditional routes. Additionally, the recently launched TeachMusic Job Board has already begun connecting educators to opportunities nationwide, offering a lifeline to schools in need of qualified teachers. 

In a move to enhance the job board’s capabilities, the coalition is exploring a partnership with Frontline Education. Their innovative “Proactive Recruiting” tool allows job seekers to create detailed profiles, helping schools identify candidates who align with their specific needs. This initiative reflects the coalition’s commitment to leveraging technology to bridge gaps in the hiring process. 

The coalition also emphasized the importance of equipping educators with tools to inspire and engage their students. One such resource is the Careers in Music section of the NFHS Arts Advocacy website, which offers lesson plans, career profiles, and video interviews showcasing diverse roles within the music industry. Teachers can use these materials to help students explore exciting career paths and understand the broader impact of music beyond the classroom. This page is designed as a companion page to the Careers in Music resources for the music industry created by NAMM. 

Advocacy was another critical focus of the meeting, with the coalition highlighting resources like the Advocacy Toolkits on the NFHS Arts Advocacy site. These toolkits provide teachers with customizable templates, data, and messaging strategies to communicate the value of music education effectively to school boards, administrators, and community members. 

Additionally, the coalition recognized the importance of building strong local support networks. The Community Engagement Guides available on the NFHS Arts Advocacy site offer practical advice for teachers to foster relationships with parents, alumni, and local businesses, ensuring long-term sustainability for their programs. 

Mentorship also emerged as a key focus. Lynn Tuttle of ASTA presented survey data revealing the critical role mentorship programs play in supporting early-career educators. State initiatives, such as Iowa’s legislature-backed program and NAfME’s efforts to catalog existing mentorship frameworks, offer promising models for other states to follow. 

Beyond workforce development, the coalition discussed broader advocacy efforts, including the need to protect music education’s role in high school graduation requirements. Recent efforts to protect music access in Indiana highlight the importance of staying proactive in state-level policy debates. 

The meeting also spotlighted the invaluable role school counselors play in guiding students toward careers in music. The coalition announced plans to form a working group dedicated to equipping counselors with the tools and knowledge needed to promote the wide range of opportunities available in the music industry. 

Underpinning these initiatives is a shared commitment to fostering a sustainable pipeline of music educators. Preliminary findings from the NFHS 2024/2025 Teacher Satisfaction Survey revealed that educators often cite their love of music and the desire to inspire students as primary motivators for entering the profession. However, the survey also emphasized the importance of supportive administrators and communities in retaining teachers. 

Looking ahead, the coalition plans to build on this momentum with quarterly meetings in 2025. These gatherings will ensure continued collaboration and progress, culminating in another in-person session at next year’s Midwest Clinic. 

The TeachMusic! Coalition’s work is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when organizations come together with a shared purpose. At the NFHS, we are proud to be part of this vital movement, championing music education and its transformative impact on students, schools, and communities. 

For more information about the TeachMusic! Coalition, visit www.teachmusic.org or explore resources at artsadvocacy.nfhs.org.