Our school got a music teacher for the first time in it's 60 year history this year! We're very excited. There's music in high school here.

The PTO at a neighboring school in our county has been running an after school enrichment program for a couple of years now. I'm hoping to get one started at our school next year. They have a variety of offerings, including Introduction to Musical Theater, School of Rock (Karaoke based performance)and World Percussion, as well as Math, Sport, Dance, Reading, Cooking, and Art programs. All of these are taught by community volunteers and cost are minimal, usually covering supplies and a snack. I'm sure this could also be used as a type of fundraiser for the school. I imagine the programs offered would only be limited to the talents of your community members and their willingness to help out. We are fortunate enough to still have our music programs in tact, but any additional exposure to the arts is always a welcomed experience

For several years, music funding was cut at our school. The solution at the time ended up getting together with one of the other small schools. Arrangements were made with a private music teacher to be at one of the schools 2 or 3 mornings a week. The parents provided transportation for those kids involved and also paid their part of the group fee for the instructor. Fee was approximately $20 a month per student. Parent club did offer some scholarships. Teachers arranged class schedules around this or allowed make up/catch up time for the students involved. Performances were done at one school but both schools were always invited. I wasn't actually involved with this as my kids weren't old enough at the time - I just know this happened. We do now have music funded through the regular school budget again.

I was curious I know some of you have mentioned that your music dept was taken out. Have any of the PTO's here done anything to replace or have some type of classes/workshops etc. to incorpoate it in somehow?
Our school is a k-2 school and our music dept was taken out about 3 years ago. Parents are asking if th PTO could do something. I know we can't pay for a teacher and they couldnt fit it into their jam packed days. But I was wondering if any other schools are dealing with this and how.

thanks for any feedback.