The World’s Largest Concert - 2008 General Information
The World’s Largest Concert® has been the highlight of MIOSM® since 1985, the same year the celebration was extended to last the entire month of March. As a sing-along concert that linked students around the world through music, the WLC reached an estimated 6 million students, teachers, and music supporters each year. Through the support of PBS stations, educational networks, and the American Forces Television and Radio Network, the program was broadcast across the United States and abroad on the second Thursday in March at 1 p.m. EST.
The WLC celebrated its 20th anniversary on March 11, 2004 with a program that featured some of the best musical moments selected from previous concerts. The 2006 WLC was enhanced by a collaboration with Feed The Children®, an international non-profit relief organization that delivers food, medicine, clothing, and other necessities to individuals, children, and families who lack these essentials due to famine, war, poverty, or natural disaster. MENC designated Feed The Children as “our charity of choice.” The goal of this collaboration was to raise money for a good cause, teach our youth about the importance of giving, and reinforce the importance of music education for all. Schools who participated in the WLC and MIOSM raised money on behalf of this organization and received special recognition for their fundraising efforts. All funds raised through this initiative went to Feed The Children. The 2006 WLC also aired on the i: Independent Television/PAX Network, its first appearance on national cable.
To assist teachers in preparing their students to participate, The World’s Largest Concert Teacher’s Guide, with reproducible student music and piano accompaniments, lesson plans, and activities for the WLC, was made accessible on the MENC website each year. Printed music was also available in the MIOSM Starter Kit and rehearsal CDs were available to help students and teachers prepare for the concert. Through an arrangement with Sibelius Music, MENC provided not only the vocal and piano music, but also the orchestral arrangements that were performed in the broadcast. This allowed for increased participation by band and orchestra directors, and opportunities for greater school and community involvement.
The WLC reached millions of annual participants for 22 years and created musical memories for students, family, and community, who came together to celebrate the importance of music in our schools.