MENC: The National Association for Music Education's 59th National Biennial In-Service Conference with NAMM Music and Sound Expo to be Held in Minneapolis, MN April 14-17, 2004

Conference to Include Music Industry Exhibits, Educational Sessions, Original Student Compositions

RESTON, VA (July 23, 2003) - The 59th National Biennial In-Service Conference of MENC: The National Association for Music Education will take place April 14-17 in Minneapolis, MN, and will include music industry exhibits, educational sessions, technology labs featuring hands-on music technology, industry workshops and school performing groups.

"The conference theme, 'Connect With Music,' exemplifies the bringing together of educators, students, the music industry and the public, for the National Conference," said John J. Mahlmann, Executive Director of MENC. "We are unified in our belief that the benefits of music education are too valuable to not be available to everyone, especially our nation's children."

MENC announced plans to work with longtime partner, NAMM, the International Music Products Association, to produce the exhibition portion of the organization's 2004 National Conference. The "Music and Sound Expo" will be held April 16-18, 2004. The new partnership was created to serve the membership of both groups while further unifying educators, the music products industry and the music making public.

"The field of music education will be enriched exponentially as a result of the newly formed partnership between MENC and NAMM," said MENC President Willie L. Hill, Jr. "This overriding collaboration will give MENC members and others the opportunity to experience educational sessions, clinics, vocal and instrumental performances, and technology at its finest. It's a win-win for our respective members."

Also featured at the conference will be a Tri-M Music Honor Society conference collegiate event, special guest artists, and top-notch keynote speakers. Highlights include a career center, an internet court area with access to computers, as well as the popular original student composition contest.

MENC's biennial conferences provide music educators with an opportunity to network with colleagues from across the nation and to learn about the latest innovations in the field of music education. More details about the 59th National Biennial In-Service Conference can be obtained from MENC's Web site at www.menc.org.

For more information, call MENC at 1-800-336-3768.

MENC, the world's largest arts education organization, is the only association that addresses all aspects of music education. More than 100,000 members represent all levels of teaching from preschool to graduate school. 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.

• Oregon Music Educators Association (General Membership)
• General Public

This event is one in a list of repeating events. All of these events are listed below.

• Wednesday, 14 April 2004 All Day
• Thursday, 15 April 2004 All Day
• Friday, 16 April 2004 All Day (this event)
• Saturday, 17 April 2004 All Day