The National Executive Board is making matching funds available for a booth or table at state music education conferences sponsored by MENC. An application form for obtaining those funds should your chapter/group of chapters/province be hosting such a booth can be found here . In addition, National Headquarters will send a box of supplies that can be used in a display.
BROCHURE
Music Education Brochure
The National Endowment of the Humanities is offering stipends for selected teachers to attend summer seminars and insitutes. Application Deadline is March 2, 2010. More information here.
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Sigma Alpha Iota members have always supported Music Education. In 1997 the National Executive Board went forward with this initiative by appointing Suzanne Floyd National Music Education Director and establishing a Music Education Project Award. Excellent projects have followed. Following are brief descriptions of some of the projects with the hope that your chapters will get inspiration from your sisters’ fabulous ideas.
Music Through the Ages – Lambda Alpha Chapter organized activities to contribute to the musical lives of people of all ages in their community. These included a Brownie Try-It event, an introduction to college life for new music students and performed for nursing homes.
The Science of Music – The Des Moines Alumnae Chapter, working directly with second graders in a school, did scientific experiments that explored sound sources, tone color, sound waves and more.
Give Us a Song – The Central New Jersey Alumnae Chapter raised money to sponsor a class using Kodaly methods teaching dance, music and song of Ireland. The session presented by a nationally recognized specialist was offered to teachers and students for University credit.
Family and Me Music – The Reno Alumnae Chapter held music classes for children and parents for six Mondays. They used supporting CDs, rhythm instruments and flip charts.
Strings Alliance in Lincoln (Strings Music Camp) – The Lincoln Alumnae and Patroness Chapter have sponsored a summer strings music camp for elementary aged students for nearly 25 years. It includes training for beginners through an honors group for middle school students.
Scholarships and Awards – Several chapters present awards to help music students pay for related expenses, often based on auditions, scholarship, grades, and recommendations.
SAI Arts Alert – The Rockford Alumnae Chapter gathers information from local public and private schools. The information is about concert schedules, theater performances, art exhibits, district and state festival participation and other arts events. This information is sent to the local newspaper and is published consistently and in a timely fashion.
Instrument and Composer Activity Cards – The Fargo-Moorhead Alumnae Chapter made a set of Instrument Cards (48) and a set of Composer Cards (48). The cards were printed in different colors of card stock. They can be used for Go Fish, Memory, Concentration or make up their own game.
Tune-Up Tomorrow – The Urbana Alumnae Chapter collected lightly used music and instruments and then invited students and teachers to come and choose music for free. They repaired the instruments and found good homes for them.
Music Bags for Teachers – The Omaha Alumnae Chapter identified schools whose music programs could use some support. They asked the music teachers what supplies would help them in their programs. Based on the requests, the chapter purchased supplies and were given to the schools in March.
Including Students with Disabilities in the Music Classroom – The Central New Jersey Alumnae Chapter sponsored a class on this subject for credit for teachers and college students.