February 25, 2008

The deadline for feedback on the DOE's Chapter 127 (which will state graduation requirements for all Maine students) is now Monday March 3rd.

If you were able to attend the regional forums please send your feedback if you did not give it that day. If you were unable to attend and wish to view the proposals, the video from the Commissioner, and leave your feedback please log on to http://www.maine.gov/education/21stcentury/index.html

At the Auburn forum we raised a lot of great thoughts, questions, and concerns but one message that was relayed to us was that numbers speak. If there are many people who articulate the same thoughts and concerns they will not go unnoticed. So please take the time to give your thoughts on the graduation requirements and the direction of Music Education you would like to see for ALL Maine students before Chapter 127 becomes law.

February 22, 2008

CALL FOR PERFORMING GROUPS AND SESSIONS FOR EASTERN DIVISION CONFERENCE

Sessions and Performing Groups (pdf)

TRAVEL TO CHINA!
this coming July 7 through July 20 with the Ridgewood Concert Band of Ridgewood, New Jersey.

More information can be found on the Teacher Opportunities Page.

February 16, 2008

PARTICIPATE IN THE 2008 GUITAR WORKSHOPS

This summer, participate in a free workshop on guitar teaching techniques. These workshops have helped more than 1,500 teachers provide guitar classes for 700,000 students and are open to MENC members. In addition to the instruction, workshop participants receive a free guitar, guitar publications and accessories, and three graduate college credits from Duquesne University. The entire package is worth about $1,800, and participants pay only travel and housing expenses. To register, visit the web site. Sponsored by The Guitar and Accessories Marketing Association, MENC, NAMM-- International Music Products Association, and the Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University.

If you have question about this exciting opportunity please contact Mike Davis, MMEA General Music VP, as he has participated in this event in the past. Email: mdavis@auburnschl.edu

Student Opportunities
Next Generation Youth Chamber Music Program which is a 1 week long residential summer program which runs August 11 – 15. The application deadline has been extended to March 1 and requires a recorded audition tape.

The Young Stars of Maine Prize Program awards 6 classical and 1 jazz prize of $1000 each and a concert at the Rockport Opera House. Applicants need to submit a recoded audition by May 9 and if chosen, attend a live audition on June 14 for classical prizes, and June 21 for the jazz prize.

Please refer to our website for additional details. www.baychamberconcerts.org/Education.cfm

February 11, 2008

Exhibitor information for All State posted

Please go to the Conference page for more details

February 5, 2008

Please help! On Monday of this week, President Bush sent his FY 2009 budget request to Congress, including yearly appropriations recommendations for the Department of Education's Arts in Education programs as well as the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), Office of Museum Services (OMS), and Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). MENC wants you to know that the President has proposed substantial cuts to key arts programs and encourages you to contact your Members of Congress www.congress.org to let them know that you do not condone of this action.

Specifically, for the eighth consecutive year, President Bush has asked Congress to eliminate funding for the Department of Education's Arts in Education programs which include such staples as model arts programs, teacher professional development and arts programs for at-risk youth. The President has also requested $16.3 million in FY 2009 cuts for the NEA (from $144.7 million to $128.4 million) as well as cuts lowering the NEH budget from $144.7 to $144.3 million.

Congress has the power to set its own priorities and challenge President Bush's proposed funding levels, but your help will be needed.

Music education advocates can make their voices heard by writing or calling their Members of Congress and urging them to increase funding for music education and the other arts by restoring designated monies for arts in education programs in the FY 2009 budget. MENC highly recommends that when writing, members add their own personal thoughts and stories about why music education is so very important to them and to their communities. To contact your representatives, go to www.congress.org, enter your zip code in the "Write Your Officials" box at the top left of the screen, locate the individual(s) that you wish to contact, and choose to either send an e-mail message, or to call.

Thank you for your continued support of music education!

*To read more about the President's FY 2009 Education Budget Request for the U.S. Department of Education, please click here: www.ed.gov/about/overview/budget/budget09/index.html