As "Music Educators Journal" celebrates its centennial, it is appropriate to look back over the past century to see how advocacy in music education has evolved. Of the more than 200 submitted articles on advocacy, four main themes emerged: music education in community, the relevancy of music education, the value of music education, and…

Presented are suggestions to help acquire increased community support for music education in general, and MIOSW (Music in Our Schools Week) in particular. MENC (Music Educators National Conference) has selected March 9-15, 1981 for MIOSW. (KC)

Describes the results of MENC workshops on increasing community support for music education, vital in view of today's educational finance crisis. (AN)

The positive features of nonperformance programs such as general music and music appreciation should be communicated often and effectively to the community. There are many effective publicity media appropriate for nonperformance programs. (AM)

Discusses the role of the arts council - to prepare the conditions in which art could occur - and the manner in which the community could find a true need for the arts. (Author/RK)

Describes ways teachers can prevent cutbacks in school music programs. A strong argument can be presented that music education is economically efficient because music teachers carry above average class loads. Suggestions for ways that teachers can provide leadership in organizing public support are included. (AM)

Describes the advantages of public relations to a school music program. Suggests that, to succeed, a music program must have the support of school administrators, teachers, parents, and students alike. Recommends means of attracting support from the four groups. Stresses the importance of effective local publicity. (SG)

In this introductory article to a theme issue, the author discusses the impact of budget cuts, shrinking enrollment, the teacher's declining public image, and the fragmentation of the music industry and the music education field. On the positive side he describes two cases where community pressure prevented music program cuts. (SJL)

A parent and the music supervisor from the Ridgewood Public Schools in New Jersey describe how parents formed the Friends of Music association to provide moral and some financial support to the district's music education program. (Part of a theme issue on the crisis in music education.) (SJL)

Proposes how music educators and arts administrators can work together to improve arts education. Recommends development of lobbying groups, and suggests ways of forming community attitudes to increase support for arts education. (LS)

Focuses on the following issues in music education: recognition of successful career music teachers by professional associations; increased enrollments; improved evaluation of music education programs; educating the public about the music programs; inclusion of music education in basic curriculum; mobilizing parents to support the entire music…