March 2014 is Music In Our Schools Month (MIOSM) and MIOSM means Advocacy!


The 2014 Music In Our Schools Month (MIOSM) slogan is
"Music Makes Me______!"
Music for the Concert for MIOSM is up on the NAfME website, http://musiced.nafme.org/concert. The sheet music is here, so start teaching the Concert repertoire now to prepare for Music In Our Schools Month, 2014!

2014 Concert repertoire provided by our sponsor, Hal Leonard

• America, Of Thee I Sing
• Explore, Dream, Discover
• Shake Them 'Simmons Down
• The Best In Me
• The Star-Spangled Banner
• Una Sola Voz

Also available on the NAfME website:

• Sheet Music
• Audio Tracks
• FAQs

MIOSM is ADVOCACY
Music programs nationwide are in danger. State and local legislators are attempting to make up for funding shortfalls in this difficult economy by cutting education budgets, which can place school music at risk. Advocacy takes place on many fronts, and advocates for music education need to learn to speak to different audiences, each of whom has a key contribution to make. Music In Our Schools Month - March 2014 - is a perfect time to get involved and do your part to ensure that America's students have access to a comprehensive, sequential music education taught by exemplary music educators!

Here are some resources to help you celebrate Music In Our Schools Month

• Share Your Story - How has music affected your life? Add your story to our growing collection and help NAfME convince decision makers that music must be protected in school.
• Why Music? Celebrity PSAs for MIOSM - Encourage your local radio stations to download and play on the air these 60-second celebrity messages about the importance of music education.
• Register for Your Flag Certificate - A U.S. Flag will be flown over the U.S. Capitol in honor of MIOSM. Register to receive a certificate of commemoration.
• Music Education Fact a Day for MIOSM - Follow NAfME on Twitter or "like" NAfME on Facebook. Each day in March, we will post a fact or quote that will reinforce the value and benefits of music education that you can share with your friends and followers.
• View the Music In Our Schools Month Webinar

Please find below answers to frequently asked questions about MIOSM. Thank you so much for all that you do for your students through music!

What is the Concert for Music In Our Schools Month?
The Concert for Music In Our Schools Month is the new name for The World's Largest Concert. The World's Largest Concert is a sing-along concert that was a highlight of MIOSM since 1985. Linking students around the world through songs and lesson plans provided by the National Association for Music Education, the WLC reached an estimated 6 million students, teachers, and music supporters over the years. In the 2011-12 school year, the concert name was changed to "The Concert for Music In Our Schools Month."

When is the 2014 Concert?
Schools are encouraged to sing all or any number of the 2014 Concert songs, view the student performances found in March on the NAFME website, have a school-wide sing-along, or a formal concert at any time during the entire month of March 2014. The official date and time for The Concert for Music In Our Schools Month is the second Thursday of March at 1 PM Eastern Daylight Time.

Where can I purchase the 2014 Concert?
In 2014, the Concert performances will be online, free of charge.

What is the theme for Music In Our Schools Month 2014?
"Music Makes Me ______!"

May I use the Concert for MIOSM music in other concerts throughout the year?
This music is for use during Music In Our Schools Month 2014, only. Any other use is strictly prohibited. All copies must be collected and destroyed by March 31, 2014. NAfME is able to provide the music for the 2014 Concert for Music In Our Schools Month because the copyright holders have generously granted us permission to do so. Teachers are permitted to reproduce sufficient copies of this music for use in preparation for and performances of the 2014 The Concert for Music In Our Schools Month only. When you reproduce the music, please be sure that the copyright notice appears once on each piece.

How do I use music that appears too difficult for my young students?
The Concert songs are chosen to appeal to students ranging from K-12. Teachers can reach all ability levels by teaching just the melody lines, rhythm instrument parts, or other elements of the songs that are accessible to their students. Individual songs may also be divided and sung by different groupings and classes of students.

By watching and discussing the concert videos that are posted on the website, all students can learn about stage presence, phrasing, diction, musicality, performance practice, and many other musical elements as they are presented by schools from across the country.

How are the songs selected for the Concert?
The Concert repertoire was selected by a team of teachers from the National Association for Music Education and NAfME staff. Music is chosen to appeal to students enrolled in Kindergarten through twelfth grade, keeping in mind the needs and preferences of our member teachers as expressed in a 2011 nationwide survey.

We welcome the input of our members as music is considered for future concerts. Suggestions can be sent to the attention of the Concert Producer, Susan Lambert at SusanL [at] nafme.org.