INFORMATIONAL

March has been officially designated as Music In Our 
Schools Month (MIOSM) by the Music Educators National 
Conference, a professional association with nearly 70,000 
members. This year commemorates the twenty-fifth national 
observance of MIOSM, a time when schools and communities 
throughout the country and overseas will celebrate MIOSM 
with concerts and other activities based on the theme 
'Make Music, America!'. Classrooms, concert halls, civic 
buildings, clubs, parks, libraries, and shopping malls 
will provide the arenas for the public to observe the 
processes and results of music education. The World's  Largest
Concert (WLC) is a highlight of MIOSM and  emphasizes the value of
music in every child's education.  This concert has been endorsed
by the American  Association of School Administrators and the
National  PTA.

On Thursday, March 11, 1999, from 1:00 to 1:30 p.m. 
Eastern Standard Time, the 15th annual WLC will be 
broadcast nationwide by PBS to link millions of school 
children, teachers, and citizens from around the world in 
a sing-along program.  In Virginia, the WLC will be 
broadcast by WHTJ (41) in Charlottesville, WNVT (53) in 
Fredericksburg/Goldvein, WVPT (51) in Harrisonburg, WCVE 
(23) in Richmond, WBRA (15) in Roanoke, WMSY (52) in 
Marion, and WSBN (47) in Norton. The program's title will  be
MENC's 1999 MIOSM theme: 'Make Music, America!'

Recording artist Kathy Mattea will host the 1999 World's  Largest
Concert, which will emanate from the American  Gardens Theatre,
Epcot'in Orlando, Florida. The WLC will  feature the Orlando
Children's Chorus and an Honors  Orchestra made up of Florida
High School All-State Band  and Orchestra students.

A teacher's guide for the 1999 WLC, along with tips for 
celebrating MIOSM, is available now from Music Educators 
National Conference by accessing their website at 
www.menc.org. The teacher's guide and music for the WLC  can be
received by writing to WLC Coordinator, MENC, 1806  Robert Fulton
Drive, Reston, VA 20191 and enclosing $3.00  for shipping.

For additional information about MIOSM or the WLC, contact Dr.
Theresa Lee, Fine Arts/Music Specialist, K-12, Virginia 
Department of Education (804/786-8078).


PDS/pl