MENC Member Update
May 15, 2008 MENC Member Update: News and Opportunities for Music Educators
MESSAGE FROM THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE BOARD -- Your MENC leadership is examining important changes to the date, location and structure of our National In-service Conference. To assist us in planning these changes, we have prepared a special survey for all MENC members. Please help us determine the best times, locations and topics to include in our future national conferences by sharing your thoughts and needs in this brief online survey, which takes approximately 5 minutes to complete. Your participation by May 25 is greatly appreciated. If you have problems accessing the survey, please contact the survey administrator, Dr. Barbara McLain (payne@hawaii.edu), MENC Western Division President.
ANNOUNCEMENT FOR MEMBERS -- On Friday, May 16, from noon to 4:00 p.m., MENC communications systems (phone, e-mail and Web site) will be unavailable. We appreciate your patience as we make system upgrades to help us serve you better.
MEMBER RESOURCE: This Week’s Featured Articles –
- Band: Your Local Area Associations Await You
- Chorus: Choosing Choir Music for Children: Part III
- Future Teachers: Dealing with Student and Parent Complaints
- General Music: Cross-Pollination: Music & Science
- Higher Education: Why Do Researchers Do Research?
- Orchestra: Focus on Folk Music: Music of the Romani
MEMBER RESOURCE: May Mariachi Newsletter – The May MENC Mariachi newsletter is now online. The feature article focuses on how José Alfredo Jiménez's unique expression of the canción touched the hearts and "painted the musical portrait” of Mexico's people.
ADVOCACY RESOURCE: Musicfriends May E-Newsletter – Read the May 2008 E-Newsletter here. Spread the word about this free membership program for music education advocates by forwarding this link to colleagues and friends!
ON AIR RESOURCE: From the Top - From the Top, the program that showcases America’s best young classical musicians on National Public Radio and PBS, returns to Carnegie Hall for a second season of its award-winning thirteen episode television series beginning May 10 (check local PBS stations for listings). The show takes you backstage and back home with the young musicians, capturing the excitement of their Carnegie Hall performances and the hard work behind their achievements. A companion web site has episodes of the show for downloading and streaming, as well as education resources, performer biographies, and Season 1 shows.
STUDENT OPPORTUNITY: Caitlin Fund - The Caitlin Merie Hurrey Memorial Scholarship Fund is part of MENC’s Fund for the Advancement of Music Education. The Caitlin Scholarship Fund provides four scholarships each year: one to a MENC parent member to assist in sending one of their children to college; one to a high school senior who is planning to attend an accredited college or university, and has a personal connection to Huntingdon Elementary School; the third to a MENC collegiate senior; and the fourth to a high school senior who is the son or daughter of an active-duty member of one of the U.S. Military musical ensembles. Applications are due May 31, 2008.
INTERACT: May Question of the Month -- Tell us your answer to the statement "I wish I/my music program had...". Submit your response and view results instantly here.
INTERACT: Ask the Mentors – Got questions? Ask the MENC mentors! Visit the mentors web site to meet this month’s experts on the band, chorus, orchestra, and general music forums. Post questions and read their answers here.
PARTICIPATE: Starting a Mariachi Band in Your School -- MENC members receive a 25% discount for the course offered July 7–11, 2008, at The National Music Center in Washington, DC. Participants of this workshop will be provided with sample materials so that they may present the concept of a mariachi program to district administrators, principals, parents, and fellow educators. Resources will be provided, including standards-based curriculum documents; beginning-level musical arrangements; recordings; historical information; list of contacts for instruments, uniforms, and clinicians; and much more. Visit the web site for more information and registration. Three graduate credits are available for this class through Villanova University.
MEMBER OFFER: May Member Special – The May member monthly special features MIOSM 2008 items. Now is your chance to get these music advocacy materials at big savings! Visit the web site or call MENC Member Services for this offer at 1-800-828-0229.
The MENC Member Update is a message regarding important or time-sensitive music education or MENC news posted weekly on the MENC Web site. MENC members can receive this update by email. To subscribe, email mbrserv@menc.org. To contact MENC staff with specific inquiries, visit the staff list.