Putting Students at the Center of MIOSM
This post got a much-needed update in March, 2025!
Music in Our Schools Month (MIOSM®) is a great time for educators to showcase the fantastic things happening within their music programs. Throughout March, music departments all over the country put extra effort into making music noticeable and celebrating its contributions within their districts. This year, I suggest you take things one step further – don’t just center your program during MIOSM, center your students! Create an environment where students feel empowered to take ownership and lead the celebration.
Empowered music students don’t just participate; they truly own their musical journey. Learning becomes personal, meaningful, and undeniably valuable to them. If we aim to authentically showcase music in our schools, shouldn’t we entrust students with the opportunity to guide their own learning? Here are some ideas to highlight student ownership during MIOSM.
Showcase Student Voice
Empowered music students have a voice, and they also know that their voices are heard. Many teachers during MIOSM will have students respond to a prompt (often the MIOSM slogan) and hang all responses on a bulletin board. This is great! All students get the opportunity to share their voices in a place that is visible to others. The MIOSM slogan this year is, “United Through Music.” Consider asking students to write a sentence or two about what this phrase means to them and display their responses. To create a visually compelling display of these student responses, here are some printable shapes for your bulletin board.
The next step is to share student voices outside of the classroom as well. If your school is active on social media, consider sharing some of the student responses there. Remove last names or other personal information, take pictures of the responses, and start posting! You could also amplify student voices by having them record short videos to share with parents and the community. Not only are you giving every student a voice, but you are helping ensure all of their voices are heard.
Connect to Others
We have all witnessed hallways come alive with displays of teacher interviews about musical experiences. But what if this year, we flipped the script and put students in the interviewer’s seat? Collaboratively, brainstorm a set of engaging questions and equip each student with a dynamic interview guide. Encourage them to explore beyond the classroom, interviewing coaches, scout leaders, family members, and more. Display paper interviews in the hallways or on bulletin boards at school, or compile digital interviews into an ebook to share throughout the community.
Student Performance Opportunities
While writing and speaking about music are valuable, the joy of actually playing music is undeniable! Give your students the opportunity to perform in school and allow them to plan the performances. In one of my former schools, we had a wonderful event called “Musical Morning.” Students volunteered to perform in the lobby during arrival in the morning. They could play an instrument or sing, but they must prepare for the performance on their own. It was such a rewarding experience! Students consistently impressed me with their creativity, often collaborating to create their own arrangements or compositions. Musical Morning was a simple event to coordinate, and it truly empowered students to take ownership of the music-making process.
One year, we added a delightful twist by inviting the faculty and staff to join Musical Morning! Students were treated to a variety of performances, including vocalists, instrumentalists, and cultural dance. It was a fantastic way to showcase that music is a lifelong passion, not just for kids. If a before-school event isn’t possible, consider a cafeteria concert. Simply set up in a corner during lunch, and let students share their talents while their classmates enjoy their meals.
Students as Teachers
MIOSM offers a truly unique opportunity: invite parents into the classroom and empower your students to become the teachers. Imagine students guiding their parents through instrument assembly or demonstrating playing techniques (this can work in band, orchestra, or the general music classroom). With parents joining the class or ensemble, students can confidently lead warm-ups, songs, and even explain complex musical concepts. This creates a memorable experience for both students and parents. Plus, the act of teaching significantly reinforces the students’ own musical understanding.
Consider leveraging student age when thinking about MIOSM activities. Ask your older students to brainstorm activities they could share with younger students. Could they revive a beloved song or activity from their younger years? Perhaps they could perform a special concert for the little ones? In one elementary school, “song tales” were a beloved tradition, enjoyed by all ages. Imagine the magic of a 4th-grade student sharing a cherished song tale with a 1st-grade class, or an 8th-grade student guiding the 6th-grade band through warm-ups. The possibilities for student leadership are truly boundless!
A word of caution – my students frequently had leadership/teaching opportunities in my classroom. If this is new for your students, ease into it gradually! A student’s initial leadership Students will feel most confident about things they have adequately prepared for.
Ask Students for Their Ideas
Remember, the most authentic celebrations come from student voices. Ask your students how they envision celebrating MIOSM. When I asked my students for their ideas, many simply wanted more music throughout the day! They dreamed of school-wide sing-alongs, impromptu dance parties, and simply more opportunities to listen to their favorite tunes. I appreciated that one of the biggest things they wanted to do was to make more music! You might even ask students to suggest ideal times and places for music throughout the school day. While faculty and staff support is essential, empowering students to share their music appropriately is truly transformative. Of course, they’ll understand that some moments are less suitable (a math test, for instance!), but many teachers may be open to purposeful musical integration.
No matter how you choose to celebrate Music in Our Schools Month, take pride in the extraordinary work you and your students accomplish. Ensure your school, district, and community recognize and celebrate these achievements. Empower your students to lead, even in small ways. Remember, empowerment knows no age limit; even the youngest musicians can shine, and it’s our privilege to guide them.
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