Patrick Scafidi

When you think about the music practice triumvirate of performing/composing/listening, do you ever feel that third element is getting neglected?

The National Endowment for the Arts recently published a report on social cohesion entitled WE-Making: How Arts & Culture Unite People to Work Toward Community Well-Being. This is especially important as we move beyond the pandemic, which inflicted trauma and exposed social, racial, and health inequities across the U.S. Music for social change programs are designed to bring communities together and increase well-being, so this report speaks directly to our field.

This article in the March issue of ASCD’s Educational Leadership, titled “‘Radical Care’ to Let Black Boys Thrive”, offers practical tips for teaching Black boys. The teaching advice may not be unfamiliar, but the article (including reference material and reflection questions) by Tyrone C. Howard and Jaleel R. Howard helpfully reminds us of important pedagogical priorities.

El Sistema USA has redesigned its former website store into a new “Resource Hub.” Members have full access to its items, including some new resources. Non-members may purchase items for a small fee.

Last month, UNESCO’s International Fund for Cultural Diversity launched its 12th call for funding requests.

The World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology (WASET) has compiled a list of music education conferences around the world.

AfterSchoolAfrica (aSA) has compiled a list of 25 global leadership opportunities for people ages 18–40 in Africa.

One of the few silver linings of this ongoing pandemic has been a collective recommitment to global connection. If we’re all learning in the same place—the Internet—why not share and interact with people across the world? The Teachers’ Guide to Global, Collaborative Teaching and Learning—published by iEARN-USA (the international Education and Resource Network) with support from the Longview Foundation—has compiled a list of these many opportunities for connection, for students and arts practitioners alike. Cultural exchange programs, camps, conversations, and opportunities for collective action abound, so share this far and wide. No matter how specific your collaborative vision, this list has you covered.

Teachers from Sistema-inspired programs in England have shared their best tips and tools for teaching, learned over the course of their careers.

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