20th Anniversary of Worlds Largest Concert® to Be Broadcast March 11, 2004 to Audience of Millions Around Globe

MENC: The National Association for Music Education Produces Anniversary Show Featuring Past Highlights

RESTON, VA (PRWEB) December 24, 2003 ---The 20th Annual Worlds Largest Concert (WLC®) will be broadcast internationally to an estimated 175 countries on PBS stations and the American Forces Television Network to millions of schoolchildren and music lovers around the world Thursday, March 11, 2004 from 1:00 to 1:30 P.M. EST.

The WLC, created by MENC: The National Association for Music Education to focus attention on music in our nations schools, is broadcast to an estimated 6 million actively participating students, teachers, and community members around the world. It is a highlight of the nationally celebrated Music In Our Schools Month® (MIOSM®), sponsored annually by MENC.

The 2004 WLC theme Connect with Music!" focuses on the ways in which music connects to so many aspects of life, and how those connections can be used to increase awareness of the benefits of music. Through this 'connecting thread, we can continue and even step-up making connections with our students, colleagues at all levels, school administrators, school board members, PTAs, community leaders, and business leaders," remarked MENC President Willie L. Hill, Jr.

The past 20 years of the WLC have coincided with the publics increased interest in the benefits of music education, such as improved SAT scores, increased learning skills, as well as decreased disciplinary problems," said John J. Mahlmann, MENC executive director. In addition to being a joyful and festive experience for those who participate, the WLC can serve as a great outreach event for school music to the community."

The Worlds Largest Concert has been the highlight of MIOSM since 1985, the same year the celebration was extended to last the entire month of March. This coming year marks the 20th Anniversary of the WLC, and MENC will be presenting a retrospective concert celebrating some of the best musical moments from the past 19 years of shows. This years WLC program will feature highlights from some of the most popular musical selections performed in the past concerts, and the televised program will include original footage. Some favorite songs from the past, as chosen by MENC members through the Oldies, But Goodies" Song Survey, include:

   The Star-Spangled Banner" (Francis Scott Key)

   Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" (Words by Ray Gilbert and Music by Allie Wrubel)
      Simple Gifts" (Traditional Shaker Song, Verses 2 and 3 by Joyce Merman, Arranged by John Coates, Jr.)
   Get On Board This Train" (Traditional Spiritual)
      Land That We Love" (Words, Melody and Arrangement by Jill Gallina) Partner Song- America the Beautiful" (Words by Katharine Lee Bates, Music by Samuel Ward)
   Fifty States in Rhyme" (Words by Phil & Lynne Brower)
   One Song, Many Voices" (Music and Lyrics by Markus Williams)
   Dont Let the Music Stop" (Words and Music by Eugene Butler)

A free 2004 Teachers Guide, including the WLC music, lesson plans, activities, and more is available in its entirety online at: wwwmenc.org/guides/wlc/WLCFront.html. The WLC Web site has also been updated with new information. Rehearsal CDs are available, and can be ordered at www.infinitypublications.com or by calling (801) 262-2546.

For more information, call 1-800-336-3768, or visit www.menc.org.

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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