Building on the Past to Shape the Future of Music Education: National Association for Music Education Assumes New Name for New Era
September 1, 2011 (RESTON, VA) — One of the world’s oldest and largest arts education organizations enters a new chapter in its distinguished history today when it officially assumes the name National Association for Music Education.
This organization of music educators and music education advocates was founded in 1907 as Music Supervisors National Conference, and later became Music Educators National Conference, with the familiar acronym “MENC.” In 1998, the association became known as MENC: The National Association for Music Education. September 2011 marks the completion of the name transition to National Association for Music Education.
“Our new name says exactly what we are and what we do: an organization for music education for everyone in our nation, an association that supports music teachers and the profession of music education,” said Michael A. Butera, executive director.
“We are proud of our traditions and celebrate them every day,” Butera continued. “Now we must adapt to the changes demanded by a new century if we are to succeed in our mission — to advance music education by encouraging the study and making of music by all. To do this, it’s critical that we have a name that is instantly understood.”
The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) is the only association that addresses all aspects of music education. Through membership of more than 75,000 active, retired, and pre-service music teachers, and with 60,000 honor students and supporters, the Association serves millions of students nationwide through activities at all teaching levels, from preschool to graduate school. NAfME is guided by the belief that for today’s students to succeed tomorrow, they need a comprehensive education that includes music taught by exemplary music educators.
For more information, contact Elizabeth Lasko at NAfME, ElizabethL@nafme.org.
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Michael Butera Discusses Name Transition (podcast)
National Association for Music Education, among the world’s largest arts education organizations, marked its centennial in 2007 as the only association that addresses all aspects of music education. Through membership of more than 75,000 active, retired, and pre-service music teachers, and with 60,000 honor students and supporters, NAfME serves millions of students nationwide through activities at all teaching levels, from preschool to graduate school. NAfME’s mission is to advance music education by encouraging the study and making of music by all. Since 1907, NAfME has worked to ensure that every student has access to a well-balanced, comprehensive, and high-quality program of music instruction taught by qualified teachers. NAfME activities and resources have been largely responsible for the establishment of music education as a profession, for the promotion and guidance of music study as an integral part of the school curriculum, and for the development of the National Standards for Arts Education.
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