Advocacy News, Action, and Alerts
Nominate an Outstanding Music Teacher for the Music Educators Hall of Fame!
Nominations are invited for the Music Educators Hall of Fame, established by MENC in 1984 to honor those individuals who are considered to be the most highly regarded professional leaders in American music education. For more information, visit http://www.menc.org/information/histinfo/guidelines.html.
FREE Subscriptions Available to Music Parents America Magazine
Music Parents America, a supplement to the School Band and Orchestra Magazine, is designed to help parents more effectively support their children’s music program. A variety of features and information on fundraising techniques, booster profiles, grant writing, and intergenerational ensembles will be provided. Contact Sid Davis at sdavis@symphonypublishing.com and include your name and mailing address for a free trial copy.
For Music Students
Student Opportunity: 2007 Music Student Leadership Conference
This event, hosted by the Tri-M Music Honor Society, will be held Saturday, March 10, 2007, 9 AM-5 PM at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, CT. For more information, visit http://www.cmea.org/menc_east.asp.
Competition for VSA Arts International Young Soloists Award
VSA Arts is looking for talented musicians who have a disability. Selected musicians from the U.S. and abroad will receive $5,000 and will perform in Washington, DC. Any musician (instrumental or vocal) from the United States who has a disability and is age 25 or under is eligible to apply. Any musician from outside the United States who has a disability and is age 30 and under is eligible to apply. Ensembles that meet the above age requirements and have at least one member with a disability are also eligible to apply. Guidelines and application are posted at http://www.vsarts.org/x22.xml. Deadline: December 1, 2006 for U.S. applicants and December 15, 2006 for others.
For Your Teacher
Share New Advocacy Program for Music In Our Schools Month 2007 with Your Teacher
This program will help you raise awareness within your community of the importance of music education. (http://www.menc.org/guides/miosm/miosmshowcase.html). To make the most of this advocacy program, create a video that spotlights your students performing a song from the Showcase repertoire list -- and that includes an introduction from a principal, school board member, or other local decision maker declaring their support for school music programs. Send your video to MENC by December 22, 2006. You then have a chance for national recognition for your program if it is selected as one of the nine finalists to appear on MENC's Web site during MIOSM 2007. Top entries at the elementary, middle, and high school level will be selected by online vote.
Online Teacher Mentors Needed
Mentors can help make all the difference between a so-so teaching experience and a great one. MENC is looking for those mentors! The network communities for band, orchestra, chorus, and general music feature expert educators each month to answer member questions. If you are an MENC member with 5 or more years of teaching experience and are willing to share your time and expertise with others, please contact Anne Wagener at annew@menc.org. Visit http://www.menc.org/networks/mentors/mentorsmain.html for more information.
Music Vocabulary
The timbre is a character or quality of a sound that distinguishes one instrument, voice, or other sound source from another.
