FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The National Association for Music Education Will Open a 2-Day Advocacy Event with a STEAM Congressional Briefing
Briefing Panel Will Discuss Why the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Movement Must Include the Arts for a True 21st Century Education
RESTON, VA (June 16, 2014) – On Thursday, June 26, the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) will lead a Congressional briefing titled “Music Education Powers STEAM: The Broader Minded Role of Music in Preparing a 21st –Century Workforce.” The briefing will be held from 2:30 to 3:30 pm in Room 340 of the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.
Supported by Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR) and Congressman Aaron Schock (IL), since its creation in 2013, the bipartisan Congressional STEAM Caucus has grown to include 63 members of Congress. The STEAM movement focuses on the inclusion of the arts in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) curricula, as the arts play a unique and critical role in helping students develop the kind of innovative and creative skills that they will need to succeed in the 21st-century workforce.
NAfME’s objective for the briefing is to explore the role of music in STEAM curricula, and to discuss how music helps students develop the workforce skills they will need to succeed after completing their studies.
On Friday, June 27, the day after the briefing, more than 150 music education leaders and supporters from every state in the United States and Europe will visit Capitol Hill for NAfME Hill Day 2014. They will share with elected officials the urgent need to ensure the continued preservation of school-based music programs across America.
As part of the Hill Day advocacy event Andrew Dost, a singer and composer from the GRAMMY winning musical group FUN., will urge support of school-based music programs during key Hill Day 2014 congressional visits. NAfME will present Dost with its Stand 4 Music Award.
Bestowed only upon select, appropriate recipients through the course of NAfME’s 100+ year history, the award recognizes a personal commitment to the promotion of the music education cause.
Panel participants for the briefing are:
- Glenn E. Nierman, President, NAfME
- David A. Dik, National Executive Director, Young Audiences
- Dru Davison, Chair of Arts Education, Memphis City Schools, TN
Matt Wallaert, Bing/ Microsoft behavioral scientist, will moderate the panel.
Michael A. Butera, NAfME Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, says, “The National Association for Music Education is delighted to have the opportunity to host a dialogue on pursuing the important goals of the Congressional STEAM Caucus. Along with several of our esteemed partners in the field, we will be demonstrating the importance and relevance of music education. “
“Through implementation of best practices in music and arts education delivery, STEAM education greatly enhances student learning. We know that music education orchestrates success and that America’s students will reap the benefits of profoundly meaningful music- and arts-enriched comprehensive learning experiences. We look forward to a lively and meaningful discussion among renowned experts,” he adds.
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National Association for Music Education, among the world’s largest arts education organizations, is the only association that addresses all aspects of music education. NAfME advocates at the local, state, and national levels; provides resources for teachers, parents, and administrators; hosts professional development events; and offers a variety of opportunities for students and teachers. The Association orchestrates success for millions of students nationwide and has supported music educators at all teaching levels for more than a century. With more than 130,000 members, the organization is the voice of music education in the United States.
Follow NAfME on Twitter (twitter.com/nafme) and on Facebook (facebook.com/nafme).
For additional information, contact Roz Fehr at Rozf@nafme.org or 703-303-7364.
Roz Fehr, NAfME Communications Content Developer, June 16, 2014. © National Association for Music Education (NAfME.org)
