|
SUPTS. MEMO. NO. 18
February 7, 1997 |
| TO: | Division Superintendents |
| FROM: | Richard T. La Pointe
Superintendent of Public Instruction |
| SUBJECT: | Music In Our Schools Month, March 1997 |
Since 1985, March has been designated as Music In Our Schools Month (MIOSM) by the Music Educators National Conference (MENC), a professional association representing more than 60,000 music educators. MIOSM is a time of musical celebration and music appreciation for students, teachers, parents, and community. MIOSM provides opportunities for students to get involved in projects and activities that focus on the integration of the SOLs. It is hoped that each school in your division will participate in some way. A focal point of MIOSM is the World's Largest Concert (WLC). On Thursday, March 13, from 1:00 to 1:30 p.m., your local Instructional Television Station will broadcast the WLC from the Desert Sky Pavilion in Phoenix, Arizona. Led by The Canadian Brass, the Dobson High School Symphony Orchestra, and the 5th Grade Honor Choir from Tempe School District #3, more than eight million students, teachers, and citizens from around the world will perform the same concert program simultaneously. The theme for MIOSM and the WLC is Music--It's Worth It! This theme was chosen to reflect the convictions that the study of music is worth the time, efforts, and financial resources of schools and communities, that musical study in school leads to lifelong pleasure and achievement, and that music itself is intrinsically valuable. MENC has sent information about ordering the 1997 WLC Teacher's Guide and other support materials to local music educators. Further information about MIOSM may be obtained by contacting Dr. Theresa G. Bailey, Specialist for Fine Arts Education (Music), Virginia Department of Education (804/786-8078). RTL/vdg