Episode 61 - John Benham

May 21, 2018

Music educator John Benham joins the show to discuss his book Music Advocacy: Moving from Survival to Vision and his concept of "reverse economics" that has helped save school music in over 400 districts throughout North America.

Topics:

• John's background as a brass player and vocalist and a bit about his early career as a music educator.
• The story of how John developed his theory of reverse economics and how it's simple concept works and resonates with administrators and school boards.
• Why music teachers must stick together and why it is essential that they rally their parents to save their programs.
• How to know if your program might be in trouble and what to expect if John were called in to work with your district.

Links:

• Save School Music
• Music Advocacy: Moving from Survival to Vision
• Music in World Cultures
• Holst: First Suite in E-Flat
• Fisher-Tull: Sketches on a Tudor Psalm

Biography:

With over 40 years experience as a music educator, Dr. John Benham first became involved in saving school music programs in 1981. Since then he has worked with over 400 school districts, taking his message to nearly every state and province in North America.

In addition to his years as an educator, he has extensive experience in both business and educational administration that includes 6 years as a public school board member. He has a unique ability to analyze each situation and develop collaborative solutions in a language that communicates with the educator and the community as well as the school board and administration. His theory of “reverse economics” demonstrates the financial viability of a strong music program. He is author of the book Music Advocacy: Moving from Survival to Vision, GIA Publications, 2016.

To date, the methods he uses to equip and mobilize community music coalitions are responsible for preventing or restoring over $74 million in reductions to music programs. The result has been the saving of over 2,000 teaching positions that provide instruction to over 500,000 students.