V. Memberships and Features

Memberships

Active Membership: Open to individuals engaged in music teaching or other music-related educational work. Each active member has the right to vote and hold office and receives a subscription to Music Educators Journal and Teaching Music. All active members hold concurrent membership in their respective federated state association of MENC. Introductory and life members are also considered active members and have the same privileges. Introductory membership is offered at a reduced rate for one year and is open to individuals who have been Collegiate members during the preceding fiscal year. Life membership is 3000% of the current national dues.

Retired Membership: Open to former music educators who have retired from teaching or other music-related educational work. Retired members have the same privileges as active members except the right to hold elective office.

Corporate Membership: Open to companies that supply music education products and services. Member benefits may include discounts on exhibits at MENC events, discounts on advertising in MENC journals, company listing on the MENC Web site and one issue of an MENC journal, the opportunity to sponsor electronic communications, such as the weekly member news update, and a subscription to Music Educators Journal and Teaching Music.

Affiliate Membership: Any organization that meets the following criteria may apply to the MENC National Executive Board for affiliated organization status: (1) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit national music organization, (2) has at least 500 members, (3) its constitution and by-laws do not conflict with those of MENC, and (4) holds at least one meeting of its membership or its governing board each year.

Collegiate Membership: Open to music students in teacher education programs at the college or university level who are not employed full-time as teachers. Collegiate chapter members have the same privileges as active members except the right to vote or hold elective office.

Mariachi Associate Membership: Open to mariachi educators who are not full-time teachers. Associate member benefits include MENC mariachi Web site and all mariachi communications and materials.

Features

Periodicals
As part of membership, active, retired, collegiate, affiliate, and corporate MENC members receive Music Educators Journal (MEJ) and Teaching Music (TM). Music Educators Journal offers timely articles on teaching approaches and philosophies, current trends and issues in music education, classroom techniques, and the latest in products and services. Teaching Music focuses on practical articles in specific areas. Teaching Music also includes guidance on technology, advocacy ideas, updates on research, how-to articles in all specialty areas, as well as product listings.

Members also receive online access to enhanced current and back issues of five music education journals: Music Educators Journal, General Music Today, Journal of Music Teacher Education, Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, and Journal of Research in Music Education (with separate subscription).

Online Journals
The following online journals, along with archived copies of past journals, are available online to all members free of charge. Printed yearbooks for selected years are available for purchase from Rowman & Littlefield Education.

General Music Today (GMT)
A respected peer-reviewed journal that offers high-quality articles to keep you on top of emerging trends, effective lesson ideas, and new materials for teaching general music at all levels. Don't miss the wealth of information and ideas you'll receive from this journal created especially for the general music educator.

Journal of Music Teacher Education (JMTE)
A peer-reviewed journal focusing on topics of interest to professors involved in music teacher training. This journal brings you information on state-mandated curricula, certification issues, reform movements, methods courses, and more.

Update: Applications of Research in Music Education
Practical applications for research findings in general music, choral, instrumental, and special topics in music education. The peer-reviewed journal Update offers information in a jargon-free, easily accessible style to keep you current on new ideas and trends in research and creative ways to apply them in the classroom.

MENC Collegiate NewsLink
Designed to meet the needs of Collegiate members, this monthly e-newsletter offers articles and news explaining how to expand upon your classroom education to better prepare yourself for the real experience of teaching.

Optional Subscription
Journal of Research in Music Education (JRME)
This venerable, peer-reviewed journal contains research reports that include thorough analyses of theories and projects by respected music researchers. With JRME, you're sure to be kept informed about the latest findings in music education research.

Member Discounts
All members receive a 25% discount on all MENC-published resources including publications, CDs, and other specialty items.

MENC's Web Site (www.menc.org)
A wealth of resources is available on the MENC Web site, including frequently updated information on membership, events, programs, and publications. Forums for band, chorus, jazz, orchestra, general music, future teachers, and higher education offer valuable professional development information and networking opportunities. Free resources available only to members include resume posting, e-books on various music education topics, My Music Class ideas and lessons, and online journals for general music, research, and teacher education. A section devoted to the National Music Education Standards, a database of music education product and service companies, and copyright, advocacy, and career resources are among the many offerings.

"Make Your Case" Advocacy Resource

MENC and NAMM have teamed up to re-launch “Make Your Case,” a database of facts, figures, and resources to help MENC members and other music advocates make the case for music in school. The database, found at www.supportmusic.com and www.menc.org, has been updated and upgraded with current and extensive music education advocacy materials.
Advocates can search for facts, statistics, research, and anecdotes on specific topics such as budgets, scheduling, curricular needs, testing, staffing, and much more. (Topics were chosen from a survey of MENC members and SupportMusic affiliates.) The results can be used for presentations, speeches, and other communications with school board members, administrators, and legislators.
 

My Music Class
My Music Class is a searchable, interactive, online database filled with lesson plans and teaching tips. Members can login to upload their own lesson plans as well as view material authored by their colleagues and other MENC partners. Members can search content by teaching level, teaching area, national standard, and rating. The system supports multiple file formats, including video and audio files, and includes links to external resources and Web sites.

Music Education Mentors
Expert mentors in music education offer online professional development opportunities to MENC members by contributing to MENC's online networks during the school year. MENC members who post questions at the band, orchestra, chorus, jazz, and general music networks can get expert advice. During each month of the school year, a mentor monitors each network. View the list of mentors and their dates of participation.

MENC Member News Updates
All members can elect to receive important and time-sensitive music education news and action items by e-mail. Contact mbrserv@menc.org to subscribe. Add "news@menc.org" to your white list to insure delivery.

MENC Online Job Center
The Online Job Center provides current listings of open positions for all specialties and levels in music education. All MENC members seeking jobs can also list personal information and qualifications at no charge. This service is offered year round. Visit the Career Center.

Performance Rights from ASCAP and BMI
Through an agreement with ASCAP and BMI, MENC-, or State MEA-, sponsored groups led by active MENC members are granted performance rights of music managed by these organizations. (This covers only performances sponsored by MENC or federated state associations of MENC.) However, if members wish to record their students' performance of any work, permission must be obtained through Harry Fox Agency.
For more information, visit the Harry Fox Agency Web site.

Optional Membership Features

MENC WorldPoints® Credit Card
MENC offers a WorldPoints® Platinum Plus® Visa® credit card, an exciting new credit card rewards program, at competitive rates. Issued by Bank of America, the leader in affinity marketing, it's got everything you'd want in a card and much more, all with no annual fee.* You'll earn one point for every retail dollar you spend with your card toward: unlimited cash rewards, tickets on major U.S. airlines with no blackout dates, car rentals and hotel stays in the U.S., and brand-name merchandise ... plus, double, triple, and quadruple points can be earned at participating merchants, and redemption can begin with as few as 1,500 points. MyConciergeSM, a complimentary cardholder service, can help you find tickets to sold-out shows and sporting events, locate a special gift—even help plan a function for you. You'll have access to a powerful credit line as high as $100,000 and equally impressive coverage to protect you and your purchases. What's more, the card that rewards you supports music education. Each time you make a purchase with your credit card, a contribution is made to MENC at no additional cost to you.

Learn more by calling toll-free 1-866-438-6262 (TTY users, call 1-800-833-6262). Please refer to priority code FACZ9Z when speaking with a Bank of America representative to apply. You can also apply online.

*For information about the rates, fees, other costs, and benefits associated with the use of the card; or to apply, please call the above toll-free numbers.

Bank of America Deposit Accounts
Bank of America offers a deposit account for MENC members. Bank of America CD and Money Market deposit accounts are FDIC-insured up to $100,000 per depositor. For more information, call Bank of America at 1-800-900-6705 and mention priority code EA0GL.

Trust for Insuring Educators Plan 
Through an agreement with Forrest T. Jones & Company, Inc., MENC offers a variety of group insurance coverages for you and your family for low monthly costs and full protection.
Insurance plans available to all members include:

• Professional liability
• Private practice professional liability
• Term life
• Long-term care insurance evaluation service
• Disability income protection
• Personal auto
• Headstart
• Accidental death and dismemberment
• Life after 50

First-year members have the option of free life insurance. For more information, call Forrest T. Jones & Co. Inc. at 1-800-265-9366.
Also available from Forrest T. Jones & Co. Inc, the MENC Health Benefits Program™ provides members with comprehensive health insurance benefits at an affordable price. For specific features of this program, call 1-888-715-6584.

Amazon.com
As an Amazon.com Associate, MENC receives a small commission on purchases made by customers who access the store via MENC's Web site. If you are seeking a book, CD, DVD, wireless phone, or other electronics, software, or kitchen gadgets, Amazon is a great place to shop online for competitive prices. For MENC to receive the commission, you need to access Amazon from MENC's Web site. Just click on the Amazon link here.

SheetMusicPlus.com
Support music education while purchasing sheet music. SheetMusicPlus.com has over 366,000 titles, including songbooks, methods, choral pieces, band/orchestra music, and much more. MENC receives a small percentage of each purchase to help us support music education programs ... at no additional cost to you! Visit the MENC member Web site for information or to order.

In Tune
MENC's secondary school teachers receive free subscriptions to In Tune Monthly, the magazine written for music-making students in grades 7-12. In Tune is published monthly eight times from October through May each school year. Teachers are invited to buy student subscriptions for the school year. MENC has encouraged and worked with In Tune Partners in creating benefits for MENC members since the launch of the magazine in 2002.

Student Youth & Traveler Magazine
MENC's secondary school band and choral teachers receive free subscriptions to the Student and Youth Travel Association's magazine Student Youth & Traveler.

ID Theft Assist
Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America, affecting millions of people each year. It only takes seconds for someone to steal and use your personal information, but it could take years to completely restore your identity. ID Theft Assist is a partnership between a leading credit bureau and a respected 24/7 crisis response team providing a comprehensive identity recovery system. MENC has arranged to provide this valuable protection for members. To learn more, call (800) 265-9366.

Special Research Interest Groups (SRIGs)
As a MENC member, you are invited to receive free e-mail newsletters from MENC's Special Research Interest Groups (SRIGs). Make your selection from: Adult and Community Education; Affective Response; Assessment; Creativity; Children with Exceptionalities; Early Childhood; Gender Research in Music Education; History; Instructional Strategies; Learning and Development; Music Teacher Education; Perception and Cognition; Philosophy; Social Sciences; or all SRIGs.