Our “Spotlight” cover stories are intended to inspire, inform, offer program-building and tech tips, and entertain. We usually provide uplifting success stories so that you can see how other music educators have used music technology to expand, improve, and in some cases resuscitate their school programs. Hopefully you finish reading the stories feeling encouraged.

This issue's cover story (see “Spotlight: Young Audiences Program Aids Recovery Efforts in New Orleans” on p. 16) is a bit different, as it is more somber than our usual fare. One of the few bright spots in this saga is the use of technology (although very limited) in the New Orleans schools. But the disastrous hurricane and flood were so vast, and recovery has been so difficult, that any story about the school system in that city is inevitably one of small victories amid ongoing struggle. Hurricane Katrina wiped out much of a city whose school system was already in deep crisis. Before Katrina, 128 schools were running; 56 are open as of this writing, and they are divided among three separate systems with no central oversight. Problems abound.

New Orleans has a great and unique musical tradition; most famously, jazz was born there. The city's marching bands derive from the French military tradition and emphasize improvisation, rather than following the influence of John Phillip Sousa. Being in the school band is still the height of cool. People's lives have been grievously disrupted, but their love of music is undiminished — and while basic survival and rebuilding has to be their first priority, passing the music on to the next generation remains vitally important.

Organizations such as Young Audiences, Tipitina's Foundation, MusiCares, VH1 Save the Music, and an assortment of other groups and individuals are doing their part to help rebuild music in the New Orleans schools. But most of all, the residents of the Crescent City have shown tremendous dedication, resourcefulness, and determination to recover and move forward. Inspirational musicians and music educators like Curtis Pierre and Michael Patrick Welch (who are featured in our cover story) are helping children, most of whom have lost more than most of us could ever imagine, to express their feelings through music. That's the good news.

Technology is playing a part in this, but so far, it's a small part. Most students are lucky to have a classroom roof over their heads and a handful of band instruments and other tools. The challenges are daunting.

But you and your students can help. This issue's “Spotlight” story includes Web addresses for some of the organizations that are most active in aiding recovering music programs in the schools. I urge you to contact these organizations and find out what you can do to assist in the recovery effort. After all, it could have been you and your kids who are trying to put your lives and schools back together.