Music in Our Schools Month

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Music in Our Schools Month

Music in Our Schools Month is an annual celebration held each March to promote the value of music education in schools. It focuses on:

• Raising awareness about the importance of music education
• Highlighting the many benefits of music learning for students
• Celebrating the work of music teachers and their students
• Advocating for continued support of strong school music programs

Schools often participate through concerts, special events, advocacy campaigns, and classroom activities that showcase student learning. This week, we’re sharing simple, easy-to-implement ideas to help you raise awareness in your school and community about the importance and benefits of music education.

Music Advocacy Posters

In the Lesson Planning section of MusicPlayOnline, you’ll find a variety of Music Advocacy Posters. Does your school send a weekly email to parents? Consider including one of these posters to highlight the importance and benefits of music education.

Other Simple Ideas to Promote Music in Our Schools Month:

Staff Spotlight: Music in Our Lives

Celebrate the musical side of your school staff!

• Invite staff members to share whether they’ve ever participated in a music program — band, choir, orchestra, musical theatre, garage band, or anything else.
• Ask them about the music they enjoy today:
  • What genres do they love?
  • Who are their favorite artists?
  • What’s a recent concert or musical event they attended?
• Compile their responses and photos into a slideshow for announcements or create a hallway bulletin board display.

This simple activity highlights how music remains an important and active part of our lives — long after graduation — and helps students see meaningful musical role models throughout the school community.

Music Minute Share

Celebrate student voice in a quick and meaningful way!

• Invite one class (or a small group of students) to share a short musical moment with the school community.

• Ask students to prepare:

  • A 1–2 minute performance
  • A short musical excerpt they’re already working on
  • A brief explanation of something they’re learning in music

• Share it during:

  • Morning announcements
  • An assembly
  • A school council meeting
  • Between classes - the class finishing up shares something with the class coming in! Students love to see each other perform! 

This simple activity showcases authentic classroom learning, builds student confidence, and helps raise awareness about the importance of music education — all without requiring extra rehearsal or event planning.

JJ and Friends - Careers in Music Videos

Interviews with Industry Leaders and Friends of John Jacobson!

• This section on MusicplayOnline features interviews with industry leaders in music with John Jacobson. Some video highlights include:
  • Susan Aglukark - Canadian Inuit Performing Artist
  • Cody Fry - Songwriter and Producer
  • Mandy Harvey - Deaf Singer and Instrumentalist
  • The New York Voices - Jazz Quartet
  • And many more! 

Check out the link below to access these resources! 

JJ and Friends - Careers in Music

Incorporating Musical Picture Books in the Elementary Music Room

with Music Room Reads

Wednesday, March 11th, 2026 @ 4:30-5:30 MST (60 Minutes)

A recorded version will be available if you are unable to watch live. 

About the Webinar:

This session will share practical strategies and ready-to-use activities that meaningfully incorporate picture books into the music room. Discover how music and storytelling can lift all voices with engaging lessons you can implement right away for rhythm work, vocal exploration, movement, and classroom instrument activities.

Learning Objectives:
• Implement ready-to-use lesson ideas that integrate music and storytelling into rhythm work, vocal exploration, movement, and classroom instrument activities.
• Adapt picture-book–based lessons to meet the needs of diverse learners and different grade levels within the music room.
• Use storytelling intentionally to promote student voice, cultural representation, and meaningful musical expression.
• Design or modify music activities inspired by picture books to support

Webinar Registration Link                

Musicplay Team Updates:

We wanted to take the opportunity to share some updates from the team:

Content Updates:

• Check again next week for future updates! 

Development Updates:

• New Drum Machine interactive
• New Staff Lesson bass resources
• Support for 2 beat rhythms in Word Rhythm Composition tool
• Added the ability to disable student codes 
• Navigation now remembers the last open state.
• Notifications can now be dismissed more easily