Announcement from NAfME:

Music In Our Schools Month
We are already looking forward to the 30th anniversary of Music in Our Schools Month in March 2015! Throughout MIOSM, we celebrate the student and all of the ways that music education drives their personal and academic success. This year's theme is, once again, Music Makes Me___!

 We are already planning several nationwide celebrations with our theme, including social media "takeover" days and, of course, the 30th anniversary of the Concert for Music in Our Schools month. It's not too early to start planning your MIOSM celebration—Concert music will be available for download by September, and select MIOSM merchandise is available now on our website, with more items to come by early fall. Let us know what you're planning in your school by emailing us at advocacy[at]nafme2.org!

March 2015 is Music In Our Schools Month (MIOSM) and MIOSM means Advocacy! Music for the Concert for MIOSM is up on the NAfME website, http://musiced.nafme.org/concert. 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.
  advocacy.nafme.org/category/shared-stories
• View the Concert for Music In Our Schools Month
  musiced.nafme.org/concert-videos
• 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.
  musiced.nafme.org/resources/why-music-psas-for-miosm-2013
• 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.
  musiced.nafme.org/events/music-in-our-schools-month/miosmflag
• Music Education Fact a Day for MIOSM—Follow NAfME on Twitter twitter.com/nafme or "like" NAfME on Facebook facebook.com/nafme. 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
  advocacy.nafme.org/webinar/celebrate-music-in-our-schools-month

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. Starting in the 2011-12 school year, the concert became "The Concert for Music In Our Schools Month.

When is the 2015 Concert?
Schools are encouraged to sing all or any number of the 2015 Concert songs, view the student performances which will be on the NAFME website in March, have a school-wide sing-along, or a formal concert at any time during the entire month of March 2015—Music In Our Schools Month. 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 2015 Concert?
In 2015, the Concert performances will be online, free of charge.

What is the theme for Music In Our Schools Month 2015?
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 2015, only. Any other use is strictly prohibited. All copies must be collected and destroyed by March 31, 2015.

NAfME is able to provide the music for the 2015 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 2015 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 from 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 individually. 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 is selected by a team of member teachers of the National Association for Music Education and the Concert Producer. Music is chosen to appeal to students K-12, 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, susanl[at]nafme.org.

For further information about Music In Our Schools Month and The Concert for Music In Our Schools Month please visit the NAfME website at nafme.org/programs/miosm for updates.