MENC: The National Association for Music Education Announces Results of 2010 National and Division Elections
Members Choose Nancy Ditmer as National President-Elect for 2010-2012
RESTON, VA (March 10, 2010) – The members of MENC: The National Association for Music Education elected Nancy Ditmer National President-Elect for 2010-2012. Ditmer, Director of Bands and Professor of Music Education at The College of Wooster (Ohio) since 1984, will assume the office on July 1, 2010 and become National President on July 1, 2012. Previously, Ditmer served as MENC North Central Division President (2002-2004) and President of the Ohio Music Education Association (1996-1998). A nationally-known clinician and notable educator, she was designated a 2008 Lowell Mason Fellow by MENC and received the 2006 Distinguished Service Award from the Ohio Music Education Association, among many other honors during her career. For a complete biography, visit www.menc.org.
Ditmer said she believes strongly in the mission of MENC—to advance music education by encouraging the study and making of music by all—and in the importance of music in the education of young people and in the lives of all people. “Realizing that education is an ever-changing institution and that high stakes testing and lack of adequate funding seem to be the primary driving forces at this time in our history, it is imperative that we continue to educate others about the importance of music and what it can do to enhance learning skills and quality of life,” she said.
“My passion for the importance of music and the arts in the education of young people has grown steadily throughout my years as a music educator,” continued Ditmer. “This passion defines who I am and much of what I do professionally, from my real job at Wooster to the many volunteer activities that have consumed my time and energy outside of the classroom. I am grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children by serving the music education profession as MENC President-Elect, and later as National President.”
The results of MENC’s division elections are as follows:
- North Central Division President-Elect: William Guegold, Ohio
- Western Division President-Elect: Ellen Kirkbride, Arizona
- Southern Division President-Elect: Christine S. Fisher, South Carolina
These individuals will assume office on July 1, 2010 for two years.
MENC: The 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, MENC serves millions of students nationwide through activities at all teaching levels, from preschool to graduate school. MENC’s mission is to advance music education by encouraging the study and making of music by all. Since 1907, MENC 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. MENC’s 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. MENC is located at the National Center for Music Education in Reston, VA.
