What exactly is Music Education Week in Washington??
Music Education Week in Washington is a new annual event created by MENC at the direction of the MENC National Executive Board.  It is built around a new format, different from that of past national biennial conferences.  This format is designed to provide members with opportunities for music education advocacy, intensive professional development, and performances in a destination location on an annual basis, and during the summer instead of the school year.  New Horizons is proud to be one of the Official Student Travel Planners for this event. 


Tell me about the 2009 Event.
The 2009 Music Education Week in Washington was a huge success!  Students and music educators from around the country participated in an unprecedented musical occasion in our nation's capital.  It began with Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan being greeted by Florence Henderson, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, students, music educators, Drum Corps International's "Glassmen" and MENC's National Executive Board at a Rally held at the Department of Education.  
Thousands of signed petitions were presented to the Secretary to help create a mandate for schools to include Music Education as a core curriculum.  Hundreds of music supporters watched as the petitions were presented to Secretary Duncan.  Select students representing music programs around the country were invited to assist in presenting the petitions.

Tim Shew, longtime Broadway performer and entertainer, was the Master of Ceremonies for the Annual National Anthem Project Sing Along.  The event was held on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.  MENC's National Executive Board as well as other members of MENC, parents, and music education supporters were in attendance.  Hundreds of students representing music programs around the country led the performance of the National Anthem.  The President's Own Marine Corps Band provided accompaniment for the Anthem, as well as an exceptionally entertaining program representing the spirit of American music.

The American Musical Salute: Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial
Student performing ensembles from around the country had the opportunity to perform on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial as part of a Musical Salute to the Life of Abraham Lincoln, commemorating his 200th birthday.  Later, select students from around the country joined with the US Air Force Band at a special concert held as part of Music Education Week in Washington. The Band was under the direction of Colonel Dennis Layendecker.

Drum Corp International Season Opener
Drum Corps International kicked off it's season as part of Music Education week with "DCI Salutes America" at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland. To open the show, hundreds of students along with members of each participating corp, the Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, and the MENC National Assembly stood on the field for an exciting pre-show presentation, and the singing of the National Anthem.  After the opening, each spectator was treated with an exhibition performance by the Marine Drum and Bugle Corps. Following the Drum and Bugle Corps, some of DCI's finest drum corps entertained the crowd in a very spirited competition!