Hello all!
This has been quite the interesting week--full of intersections between politics and music!
This week Gov. Relations staffer CW finished up our new book of congressional quotes of music education (with the help of designer KR). It is the third edition of Music for All and you can get your first look at it at MENC's Centennial Celebration. We have a fantastic collection of quotes so I asked CW for his favorite to highlight. It is from Senator John Kerry who said,
"We know that children who learn music are better equipped for success in life. Music education enriches children’s lives by helping them develop a sharp mind, abstract reasoning skills, and self-confidence as they grow into adults. Along with giving children a positive outlet for their energy, music education helps keep our young people on track, out of trouble and in school. Music education is an invaluable and essential part of education for young people, and investing in it is good for our kids, our schools, and our communities. I thank the National Association for Music Education for their commitment to this issue, and look forward to supporting their efforts in our new Congress."
In another intersection of politics and music, this week the AP asked presidential candidates questions what music they last purchased. What interesting answers and a great idea to bring that to political stage! You get a better feel for them as people after you read what music they are listening to.
Finally, we're working on the MENC Legislative Memo for May and CW writes the Congressional Corner. This month we're profiling Senator Chris Dodd and CW found he regularly listens to his iPod. In fact, there is a web site where you can request music or podcasts to be put on his iPod for him to listen to. Check it out and request what you think he should listen to!
Under the category of disclaimer, please note that nothing is this blog should be considered as any kind of an endorsement whatsoever!
Have a great week and "see" you next week!
Around the Water Cooler: How did it get to be May and how are we down to the final weeks of both American Idol and Dancing With the Stars?! While I'll probably be a little sad to see the two shows end, I'm really looking forward to Nigel Lythgoe's OTHER reality show (he's AI's Exec. Producer), So You Think You Can Dance. Come to think about it, Nigel's really given music and dance a national stage in a cross-cultural and cross-generational way unlike anything else I can think of.
