Inspirational 15-Minute Art Film Emphasizes Importance of Music in the Lives of Children

First Note Now Available Through MENC: The National Association for Music Education

RESTON, VA (PRWEB) July 10, 2003 -- MENC: The National Association for Music Education has made an exclusive arrangement with filmmaker John Meyers to make available First Note, a 15-minute movie about what music can mean in a young persons life. First Note tells the story of a 14-year old Vermont farm boy who finds something quite special one cold night in his cow barn. With the help of a remarkable schoolteacher, he is able to glimpse what his new discovery might mean in his life on the farm.

My inspiration for the film came in part from observing close-up the amazing rapport between a music teacher and her students while filming a television series for MENC some time back," says Meyers. First Note is meant to leave young people with the sense that a relationship with music is something that can positively shape your life no matter what path you choose, even if the only audience for the music you play is yourself and the cows."

The music for First Note was composed by Marc Faris and performed by cellist Chris Eubank, featuring the Durham indie rock band The Sames. In the sense that I had to think about music from a whole new perspective, this score was probably the most difficult project I've undertaken to date," Yet it was also one of the most rewarding!" remarks Faris. This experience reminded me that music is so amazing because of its ability to inspire and galvanize, in different ways, with different meanings, for different people."

As the association dedicated to the advancement of music education, MENC is pleased to make this film available to the public," says John J. Mahlmann, Executive Director of MENC. First Note convincingly conveys how music, more than just being beneficial to childrens brain development, is a powerful and life-enriching gift that should be accessible to all."

First Note, produced by Tern Productions, is available to order at www.menc.org. The accompanying Web site for the film is www.FirstNoteTheFilm.com. For more information, call MENC at 1-800-336-3768.

MENC: The National Association for Music Education, the worlds largest arts education organization, is the only association that addresses all aspects of music education. More than 100,000 members represent all levels of teaching from preschool to graduate school. Since 1907, MENC has worked to ensure that every student has access to a well-balanced, comprehensive, and high-quality program of music instruction taught by qualified teachers. MENCs activities and resources have been largely responsible for the establishment of music education as a profession, for the promotion and guidance of music study as an integral part of the school curriculum, and for the development of the National Standards for Arts Education.   

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