The first Quincy Jones Musiq Consortium, an event created by musician Quincy Jones to bring together leaders from higher education, the nonprofit service sector and the music industry to explore ideas and strategies for expanding access to music education for all children, was held April 29 at the Time Warner Center in New York City. Sponsored by the NAMM Foundation, the initial meeting was the first of two that will be held in 2009. The event drew more than 60 national leaders in public policy, music and arts education and community-based music service programs.
John J. Mahlmann, executive director of MENC: The National Association for Music Education, was a panelist for the session “Music Education Advocacy — What’s the Problem?”. Joining Mahlmann on the panel were Laurie Lock, director of programming and policy at VH1 Save the Music; Mary Luehrsen, executive director of the NAMM Foundation; Robert Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts; and Margaret Martin, founder of the Harmony Project.
The goals of the Musiq Consortium are to:
- Increase the percentage of children that are participating in school and afterschool music programs
- Increase the quality and number of music educators in the United States as well as employment opportunities for those who are best qualified
- Via partnership with the participants, develop shared advocacy and funding initiatives for youth music programs.
—Elizabeth Lasko, May 1, 2009. © MENC: The National Association for Music Education
