Music education has deteriorated slowly over the last 30 years. Schools in states all across the country are now facing unprecedented budget cutbacks. Music and the arts are suffering disproportionately, as educators and legislators grapple with priorities - reading, writing, math, physical education, music and art. Unfortunately, music and the arts are often the first to be cut. Texas ranks near the bottom among the 56 U.S. states and territories in per capita spending ($0.18) on music and the arts. The national median is $1.44 per citizen. Declining support for the arts at both the federal and state levels has made it necessary to develop innovative solutions such as the Texas Music Project.