MENC: The National Association for Music Education Announces Tri-M® Chapter of the Year Recognition Winners
Award Recipients Demonstrate Diversity, International Scope of Tri-M Program
RESTON, VA (July 13, 2009) — MENC: The National Association for Music Education announced the results of the 2009 Tri-M® Chapter of the Year Recognition. The Tri-M® Music Honor Society rewards exceptional middle and high school music students throughout the world. The Chapter of the Year Recognition was developed specifically to recognize outstanding Tri-M members and chapters. Summer music scholarships are awarded to members of the winning chapter and the two runner-ups in each division. The Senior and Junior Chapter of the Year also receive a permanent engraved service plaque.
The Senior Division winner for the 2008–2009 Chapter of the Year is Villa Maria Academy, Tri-M Chapter #1227, located in Malvern, Pennsylvania, and advised by Joyce Prichard. The chapter organized a charity called “Reindeer Romp” to benefit the Special Olympics of Delaware County. Over 160 participants helped raised $3500, walking (in the cold) around Villa Maria’s campus. “Reindeer Romp was a perfect way for students to experience what joy it brings to give to others in such an unselfish way,” says Prichard.
The first runner-up in the Senior Division is Nazareth Academy High School, Tri-M Chapter #2096 (Margaret Lafferty, advisor), located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The second runner-up is Unionville High School, Tri-M Chapter #2351 of Unionville, Ontario, Canada, and advised by Dennis Beck.
The Junior Division Chapter of the Year is Ranney Middle School Tri-M Chapter #4410, located in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, advised by Lillianne Torrente. After raising $500 through fund-raising efforts throughout the school year, Tri-M students purchased “musical toys” for the U.S. Marine’s “Toys for Tots.” Students enjoyed working together to help children in need during the holiday season and donated nearly 70 musical-themed toys.
The first runner-up is Alma Middle School, Tri-M Chapter #3585, located in Alma, Michigan, and advised by Patrick DeWitt.
More information about the winning Junior and Senior chapters is available on the MENC News Stand.
Active chapters of the Tri-M Music Honor Society are encouraged to participate in the 2009–2010 Chapter of the Year Summer Music Scholarship Program. More information about Tri-M and its recognition programs is available at www.menc.org/resources.
Tri-M currently has approximately 50,000 members in more than 1,700 chartered chapters worldwide. The purpose of the Tri-M Music Honor Society is to inspire music participation, create enthusiasm for scholarship, stimulate a desire to render service, and promote leadership in the music students of secondary schools.
For more information, call MENC at 1-800-336-3768 or visit www.menc.org/resources.
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.
