Centennial Quotes
Greetings from President George W. Bush (PDF)
A fervent belief in endless possibilities--that’s what inspired the founders of MENC 100 years ago. It fueled their passion for teaching and focused their crusade to elevate the importance of music education. With this optimism, they created a national organization that trained new leaders to solidify the place of music education in American education.
Numerous dramatic comparisons can be made between music education in 1907 and 2007, but the most significant similarity is how the founders of 1907 and music educators today share this optimistic belief in the endless possibility of music education. High quality music education in American schools, which began as the dream of a few determined individuals, is no longer the privilege of a few, but a necessity for all.
Granted, not every child receives the benefit of music education; we still have a long way to go. Still, it is appropriate to pause and voice appreciation for what has been accomplished. Consider how far the music education profession has come and the millions of lives that have been touched by those who teach music.
Profound changes in teaching have taken place in the past 100 years .... What has remained constant is the fundamental connection between teachers and students in pursuit of knowledge--and the road to endless possibilities.
-- Lynn M. Brinckmeyer
President, MENC: The National Association for Music Education (2006-2008)
excerpted from MENC: A Century of Service to Music Education, 1907-2007
NAMM, the trade association of the music products industry, joins with its members and colleagues in saluting MENC on its 100th anniversary and for its service to music teachers who work every day to strengthen music education in local communities across the country. NAMM applauds MENC for its national leadership and programs that advance professional development for music educators and for promoting our shared cause to ensure that all children receive a quality, standards-based education in music. We salute MENC this centennial year for their programs and services including the development of the national standards for music education, federal and state legislatured education reform and for the National Anthem Project, raising public awareness about the importance of music education. To MENC, you have earned the respect and admiration of your partners in the music products industry.
-- Joe Lamond
President and CEO, NAMM, the International Music Products Association
The Music & Entertainment Industry Educators Association (MEIEA) would like to congratulate MENC on 100 years of outstanding service to music education. We would also like to thank MENC for their support in all areas of music education, including music business, and for being an important resource and the driving force behind quality instruction in music programs across the country.
-- Dr. Rebecca Chappell, President
Music & Entertainment Industry Educators Association (MEIEA)
On behalf of the Barbershop Harmony Society I would like to offer my congratulations to MENC: The National Association for Music Education as you celebrate 100 years of service to music education. That, of course, translates to 100 years of service to our youth, our communities, and our country. The Barbershop Harmony Society is happy to have played a small part in MENC’s history; our joint efforts including the “Getting America Singing…Again!” songbooks and the National Anthem Project. These resources continue to inform students of all ages the importance of their American musical heritage so that these songs will continue to be passed down from generation to generation. We are proud to be a small part of MENC’s mission.
The missions of MENC and the Barbershop Harmony Society align well in that both organizations believe that music education enriches lives. Our joint efforts, combined with the efforts of the many other advocates for music education, continue to make better lives; making the world a better place as a result.
Best wishes for a successful 2007 and beyond.
-- E. D. Watson
Executive Director/CEO, The Barbershop Harmony Society
On behalf of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association, I congratulate The National Association for Music Education on the 100th anniversary of the founding of your organization. I am privileged to joyfully support the combined efforts of our two associations in providing support and education to the constituents we share. The music educators in this country are to be commended for providing all children an opportunity to grow and learn as expressive human beings in the diverse contemporary American society in which we live.
Understanding the role music plays in our lives is a priority for both of our organizations. We support providing the needed resources, professional development, and communication assistance to pre-K-12 music educators, pre-service and in-service teachers and university professors. Through our collaborative efforts, we can enhance music education and advance the study of music and engagement in music making by all.
I look forward to our collaboration as a means to provide access to necessary resources in the future through workshops, conferences and website support. I am confident that together we will make a difference.
We are proud to be affiliated with MENC, an organization with a like mission to our own. I hope that together we can propel music education into the next century.
-- Sue Mueller
President, The American Orff-Schulwerk Association
What would the world be without music and what would music sound like without musicans trained in every aspect from the creative concept to its harmonic execution?
With the National Association for Music Education -- the bastion of music appreciation and teaching -- society does not have to deal with such a negative impact on our lives.
The Music Performance Fund is proud of its affiliation with MENC in bringing the magic of music to the schools and public. We congratulate them for their unparalleled efforts and look forward to a continuing relationship in the future.
-- John C. Hall, Jr.
Trustee, Music Performance Fund
The National Association of Schools of Music congratulates MENC: The National Association for Music Education for 100 years of outstanding service to music and music education. MENC has been steadfast in developing opportunities for every elementary and secondary student in the United States to study music within a regular curricular framework. The Association has pursued this goal with a wide and evolving set of projects and initiatives encompassing every aspect of music study for children and youth. For eighty three years, NASM has worked closely with MENC, particularly on issues of teacher preparation and national arts and education policy. Over the years, NASM staff and officers have been outstanding colleagues and effective representatives for music study throughout the nation. However, these individuals serve as representatives of thousands of professional teachers whose expertise and dedication are essential to the development and growth of our nation's musical culture. And so, on this historic occasion, NASM salutes, commends, and expresses appreciation to MENC and its members past and present whose daily efforts over a century have created untold benefits for individuals, music, and civilization.
-- Samuel Hope
Executive Director, National Association of Schools of Music
The Songwriters Guild of America, for 75 years the world’s largest professional organization run exclusively by and for songwriters, extends heartiest congratulations to its partner MENC on the celebration of its 100th anniversary. The work of MENC over the past century in championing the goal of music education for all Americans has led directly to the flourishing of the songwriter community in the United States into the most influential artistic community in the world.
Today, SGA continues proudly to support the crucial work of MENC in helping to preserve and protect the tradition of formal music education for all, a key ingredient to the future success of American composers and songwriters. Together, we shall work in the eras to come to ensure that the phenomenon that is American musical culture – the distillation of music from every country and genre on earth into a unique blend of sounds, moods and messages that is somehow still quintessentially “American”—continues to be one of the great sources of pride for our nation.
In the music community, we often say it all starts with a song. We must also never forget, however, that even before the moment of creation, there must first come the joy and inspiration that only musical education and experience can bring to each individual creator. Preserving that wondrous cycle is the crucial calling of MENC, a mission that it is the responsibility of /all of us/ to support to the fullest.
-- Rundi Ream
Chief Operating Officer, Songwriters Guild of America
It is my pleasure to write in support of the importance of the MENC mission-to advance the study and making of music by all. The past two years have proven to be exceptionally important in the relationship between music education (MENC) and music therapy (AMTA). Music Education and Music Therapy are working hand in hand as partners, providing music for everyone so that all can have a better quality of life. Many cross presentations have occurred at our annual conferences and, as a result, teachers and therapists are learning more and more how they can support and interact with each other. What a wonderful way to advance your mission!
Congratulations on your 100th anniversary of the founding of your organization! It is indeed an accomplishment and milestone to be commended. Best wishes for continued success and many more wonderful years advancing music for all!
-- Michelle J. Hairston, EdD, MT-BC
President, American Music Therapy Association
On behalf of the Organization of American Kod¡ly Educators I am pleased to congratulate MENC: The National Association for Music Education as you commemorate your 100th anniversary. Both of our organizations seek to promote quality music instruction for all individuals in this country, and I look forward to future collaborations as we work together to make this vision a reality.
Congratulations and best wishes for a wonderful anniversary celebration!
--Brent M. Gault
President, Organization of American Kod¡ly Educators
Reading, Writing & Rhythm would like to congratulate the National Association for Music Education on 100 years of service to music education. On this centennial anniversary, our nation's youth, our schools and our entire country have greatly benefited from the contributions of this national organization.
Advancement of music education for our nation's students was the primary goal of Reading, Writing & Rhythm when we began our mission, and we are deeply appreciative of MENC's willingness to foster our projects, to mentor our organization, and to work as our partner in pursuing the same goal to advance music education. We sincerely appreciate our partnership with National Association for Music Education, and the good works they do.
Thanks go to everyone at MENC who works so hard to bring music into the lives and the hearts of this nation's children!
-- Chely Wright, country music artist
Founder of Reading, Writing & Rhythm
I first want to congratulate the National Association for Music Educators on your 100th anniversary. May there be many more anniversaries to come. As a former music teacher in Big Sandy, Montana I know first hand the value a well-rounded education can play in student development. We were all sent to Washington to make sure future generations have every opportunity that we had; a quality education with attention to the arts is key to making that happen.
Senator Jon Tester (D-MT)
It is with great pleasure that I write to you on behalf of the International Society for Music Education (ISME), to congratulate MENC on reaching 100 years. As you know, MENC played an important part in the formation of ISME and has been involved with ISME since it’s inception in 1953.
We wish MENC success for the Centennial Congress. May the next century be equally as successful as the last 100 years. We look forward to on-going cooperation between the two organizations over the coming years.
Greetings and best wishes
Liane Hentschke, ISME President