Purpose
The purpose of MENC Collegiate membership is to afford students an opportunity for professional orientation and development while still in school, and to enable students to gain an understanding of:
The basic truths and principles that underline the role of music in human life,
The philosophy and function of the music education profession,
The professional interests of members involved in the local, state, division, and national levels,
The music industry's role in support of music education, and
The knowledge and practices of the professional music educator as facilitated through chapter activity.
History
Collegiate Music Educators National Conference Timeline
1907 Keokuk, Iowa: The Music Educators National Conference was founded when 104 music teachers from sixteen states participated in a momentous conference for school music teachers.
1930: Ninety students were members of the Music Educators Journals Clubs.
1930-40s: As membership grew, these clubs began to pursue other endeavors beyond the mere marketing of magazines. They held meetings, elected officers, distinguished themselves as campus organizations, and traveled off campus to attend music education conventions.
1941: Membership in the Music Educators Journals Clubs rose to more than 1,000 students.
1946: The MENC Committee of Directors authorized the establishment of the first chapters of CMENC.
1947-8: In the school year following this inauguration, 2,374 students were registered as chapter members on 157 campuses.
Present: CMENC is an indispensable part of MENC, which is the largest national association devoted to the advancement of music education with more than 120,000 members.
Advocacy
MENC Sponsored Advocacy Projects
Music in Our Schools Month - a month (March) dedicated to the importance of music education in our schools. MIOSM features concerts and other activities both within the school and out in the community based on the year's theme.
National Anthem Project - this project includes a road show in which members of the community are invited to come learn about the national anthem and find out how they can support their local music program. There is a 3 day event at the culmination of the tour during which thousands of participants sing patriotic songs, school groups perform, and military groups perform at the nation's capital in Washington D.C.
Musicfriends.org - a group of parents, community members, and other music advocates working to support local school music programs through grassroots initiatives
Other Advocacy Links
Support Music - article excerpts grouped by subject (budget, time, facilities) and other advocacy resources
Music for All - projects, research, advocacy tools, working on public awareness and getting a positive media coverage
American Music Conference - describes the benefits and importance of music education, includes music research and advocacy resources
Children's Music Workshop: Advocacy - lots of articles on music advocacy
Research Perspectives in Music Education - the official research journal of the Florida MEA
