Are you looking for a good association for music education? Many are out there, but what do they do, and why are they useful? Here are some of the main benefits of joining an association:
MENC
MENC is an acronym for the National Association for Music Education. Founded in 1949, the organization comprises American music educators dedicated to preserving music education in the school system. MENC members are involved in public, private, and nonprofit music education programs. Their members are passionate about music education, and their work is recognized and respected by other music educators. Here are some of their recent accomplishments:
MENC is the world’s largest organization dedicated to the advancement of music education. The association strives to ensure that music education is integral to every student’s education and to foster the best music education programs in our nation’s schools. It also aims to promote the profession of music education through its advocacy efforts. MENC is the voice of the music education profession. This association helps educators and students advance their careers by sharing best practices, resources, and ideas in music education.
IASPM
IASPM is an international association for music education and research. Its mission is to promote musical creativity, research, and dialogue in music education and research. Its members are educators and researchers in various fields who share concerns about music education in higher education. In the United States, IASPM’s chapter is known as IASPM-US. IASPM-US has been active in the field of popular music since the early 1980s and serves as a forum for scholarly approaches to studying popular music.
In addition to holding annual conferences, IASPM-Canada hosts virtual talks each month. These talks are intended to be ten minutes long and followed by a Q&A. The meetings will be virtual and held on Zoom. The deadline to apply is October 1, 2021. Three $500 research fellowships are awarded each session, so apply now. You can also join the discussion and network with other IASPM-Canada members.
MTNA
Membership in MTNA is free, and MTNA members receive various benefits. Members also enjoy discounts on office supplies, publications, and teacher training. MTNA conferences offer workshops and seminars on teaching, etiquette, and industry development. MTNA webinars cover a variety of topics of interest to music teachers. Additionally, MTNA offers insurance for members, as well as referrals to resources for teaching.
Competitions are held at three levels: divisions, state, and national. The state competitions are geared toward primary education, and division winners advance to the national finals at the MTNA conference. Competitions at these levels honor outstanding performances and methodological achievement. However, state-level competitions are also an excellent place to learn about new ideas and technologies. MTNA also offers many grants for local-affiliated associations to pursue educational projects.
Membership is free and open to all music teachers. Teachers can also become members of the Foundation Fellow program, which recognizes deserving individuals for their contributions to the field of music education. Membership in MTNA does not require a music degree or affiliation with a music school. Aside from being a valuable professional resource for teachers, MTNA also promotes the welfare of music in society. This organization is also open to students, parents, and artists.
DCM
The District of Columbia Music Education Association is the professional organization for the area’s music educators. Members of the association are encouraged to attend events and professional development opportunities. The next meeting is scheduled for June 19 at the Washington Hilton. There will be an opportunity to network with other members and learn about upcoming events and professional development opportunities. If you are interested in attending one of these events, email Elizabeth Lasko at Elizabeth(at)nafme.org.
Dr. Johnson has served on the Executive Committee of the National Association for Music Education and the International Society for Music Education. She is also on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Research in Music Education and the National Association for Music Education. Dr. Johnson is a recipient of the J. William Fulbright Scholar Award and the Ella Scoble Opperman Citation for Distinguished Achievement. She is passionate about music education and the benefits it has on all of us.
