me arts ed

Music program reinstated after 41 years This post is written by Iris Fields who is the mother of music educator, Loren Fields, from Lawrence High School

Iris Fields

“Music in Harmony” has taken on new meaning for the Maine town that was named for the harmonious relationships of its people. Our little town of Harmony is displaying its independence again  by supporting a totally new music component for its school!

Thanks to the harmonious workings of the Patriarchs Club (Harmony, ME), the Vh1 Save the Music Foundation (N.Y.) and the Oak Grove/Coburn Education Foundation (Maine), the older children of Harmony Elementary School can begin instrument study this September!

I can speak of “us”, “we”, “our” for at least 2 reasons: 1. I’m the music teacher and 2. I had my start in music education when I grew up in the town of Harmony. After a life-time career in music, in America and (recently) in Japan, I’ve come full-circle to give music back to the town I love! They’ve
been 41 years without instrumental music in the school!

I believe that what is happening for us is BIG NEWS! The human interest component alone is worth noting, i.e.

1. first school in the State of Maine to receive a Vh1STM grant– a starter kit of 36 new band instruments
2. a new band program for a small, rural town named Harmony (providential pun)
3. instruments being distributed through Perkins Music House (Dale is an alumnus of H.E.S.)
4. the program is to be taught by Iris Fields (alumna of H.E.S.).

About the Very Important Players                                                                         The VH1 Save The Music Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring and sustaining instrumental music education in America’s public schools and raising awareness about the importance of music as a part of every child’s complete education.

Facts                                                                                                                         Since The Foundation was established in 1997, and has provided more than $43 million worth of new musical instruments to more than 1,700 public schools in more than 100 cities, affecting the lives of more than 1.4 million children.

How it Works
VH1 Save The Music develops long-term, sustainable instrumental music programs that provide children with equal access to music education regardless of their financial situation. Through strategic partnerships with school districts, the Foundation provides brand-new musical instruments to public elementary and middle schools, jumpstarting dormant music programs across the country. The school districts commit to funding certified music teachers’ salaries, providing maintenance and supplies, and scheduling instrumental music classes during the school day. The Foundation maintains a partnership with the district until instrumental music is in place in every school.

The Patriarchs Club of Harmony sponsors the annual Harmony Labor Day Free Fair (“The best things in life are free”). It has provided for many improvements to the town and the school. Made up of townspeople, the organization has a feel for the needs of the community. It is vibrant and forward looking.

When the Oak Grove/Coburn School closed its doors, its assets were put into a fund named the Oak Grove/Coburn Education Foundation. Maine schools who qualify under IRS cert. 501 c-3, may apply for funding of education projects.

Note                                                                                                                              The Maine State Police Academy now occupies the buildings of the former Oak Grove/Coburn School in Vassalboro, ME.