A study of budget cuts for the arts has won a national advocacy award for the Kansas Music Educators Association. Hays High School director of bands Craig Manteuffel is the group’s vice-president.

The survey finds that more than 600 music positions in grades K – 12 have been eliminated in Kansas the past five years.

Manteuffel calls it a “real travesty.  The 2012 national A-C-T average composite  is 21.1  The Kansas average is 21.9  The KMEA all-state honor group composite average is 27, a huge jump,” says Manteuffel.

“Music can do so much–teach team work, problem solving, and of course, creativity.  Today, most big corporations are looking for creative employees.”

The study, headed by a KSU professor, has been presented to national and state legislators, as well as the Kansas Board of Education.