Mission
To advance music education by encouraging the study and making of music by all.
Core Statement
For today’s students to succeed tomorrow, they need a comprehensive education that includes music taught by exemplary music educators.National Association for Music Education, formerly MENC, is the only professional association that addresses all aspects of music education. NAfME and WMEA work together to ensure that students in Wisconsin have access to high-quality, comprehensive, and well-balanced music instruction that teaches communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity.
As a member, you will be part of our strong united voice to support the profession in these challenging times. We are leading the discussion for continued development of the National Standards for Music Education, and working for the advancement of quantifiable but fair evaluation of music instruction. It is this important work, plus a wide variety of members-only programs and services, that will help you to get the best out of your program and achieve career success!
Professional Development
Improve your Knowledge and Skills
Stay informed with complimentary annual subscriptions to NAfME periodicals, including Music Educators Journal, Teaching Music, and others. Complimentary online journals are also available on demand. And save money on informative books as well as complimentary resources covering a wide array of disciplines.
Explore the latest teaching tools and instructional techniques, and share different perspectives with colleagues from around the country, by attending the National In-Service Conference. Members enjoy significant discounts on registration.
Stay current with affordable professional development webinars through an annual subscription to the NAfME Learning Network. Enjoy a year’s worth of professional training sessions on demand 24/7, for a low members-only rate!
Student Opportunities
Raise Your Department’s Visibility and Encourage Student Development
- Help your students to expand their knowledge of music. Sponsor their participation in the NAfME Student Composers Composition or the Electronic Composition Talent Search.
- Showcase your students’ talents and enjoyment of music, and foster a greater understanding of the value of music education, through participation in NAfME’s Concert for Music In Our Schools Month.
- Keep your middle school and high school students excited and engaged through membership in the Tri-M Music Honor Society. You can also encourage future music teachers to network and prepare for those all-important interviews by supporting the NAfME Collegiate program.
Orchestrate Career Success
In and Out of the Classroom
- Why reinvent the wheel if you don’t have to? Make the most of your time in the classroom through complimentary access to NAfME’s My Music Class ®, an online idea center and lesson plan library.
- Speak confidently with state and local officials about the lasting value of music education by getting active in NAfME Advocacy Groundswell, our online community of members and supporters, offering real-time advocacy information and policy briefings with information that can be tailored to your needs and interests.
- Clear cover songs and pay royalties to publishers and songwriters easily, at discounted rates, through NAfME’s partnership with Limelight®. You can also obtain mechanical song licenses through Songfile®.
- Obtain the insurance coverage you need at discounted rates through NAfME’s Group Insurance and Health Benefits program (coverage provided by Forrest T. Jones & Company, Inc.).
- You can also raise your professional credibility by authoring a paper for one of our journals, serving as an online mentor for an NAfME Forum discussion group, presenting a session through the NAfME Learning Network, or volunteering as part of an NAfME committee or working group.
Why Should I Join Now? / What’s Happening Now?
- Be the First to Know
NAfME leaders are engaged in a spirited discussion to modernize the National Standards for Music Education, which could result in a model for state standards development and positively influence state-specific criteria for music teacher evaluations. Receive regular updates on this and much more through a complimentary subscription to the weekly NAfME Lead Sheet and other regular member updates. - Connect with Colleagues Across the State and Nationwide
Network with peers and learn the latest instructional techniques at the NAfME National In-Service Conference in October. It is a great way to connect with peers across the country. Can’t make it to a conference? Join a NAfME online Forum discussion group or Special Research Interest Group and get answers to your most pressing problems. - Raise Your Voice for Timely and Fair Evaluations
NAfME and WMEA are influencing how music teacher evaluation systems are to be used in Wisconsin. School supervisors are kept abreast of the latest developments through contact with local officials. But we need your input and participation to fine tune the system and promote fairness for all music educators! - Encourage Your Students’ Passion for Excellence
Your high school juniors who participate in WMEA All-State activities have the opportunity to audition for the NAfME All-National Honors Ensemble program in Nashville, TN or the U.S. Army All-American Marching Band. - Build Your Professional Credibility
NAfME / WMEA membership is a visible sign of your commitment to high quality music instruction that teaches cooperation, discipline, teamwork, creativity, and innovation.
