JEN MEETS WITH Q AT THE QUINCY JONES MUSIQ CONSORTIUM!

On November 4^th President Mary Jo Papich and President Elect Lou Fischer, representing JEN, met with leaders in music education, the music industry, corporations, foundations and philanthropists to share resources, networks, ideas and passion with the goal of making American music a vital part of the lives of children in the United States.  The legendary music icon, Q, called the meeting out of concern that American students are growing up today not grounded in the history of American music and not realizing the importance of this music to their cultural identity.

Sponsored by NAMM and Time Warner, this was the 2^nd meeting of these leaders.  The goals of the Musiq Consortium are to:

• Increase the percentage of children that are participating in school and after-school music programs.
• Increase the quality and number of music educators in the United States, as well as employment opportunities for those who are best qualified.
• Via partnership with the Musiq Consortium participants, develop shared advocacy and funding initiatives for you music programs.
• Ensure that all students, whether they are studying music in public schools or in after-school programs, are thoroughly grounded in the history of American popular music from Appalachian and Folk music to Rap, and the importance of the music to the student’s cultural identity.

Q’s comments focused on the concept of ubunto ….that the collective is always more important than the individual when working together…thus “Great minds think in harmony!”  Plans are to roll out a comprehensive American Music curriculum within the next year or so…heading this major task are Dr. David Baker (Indiana University/Smithsonian Jazz Orchestra) and Dr. William Banfield (Berklee College of Music).  Organizer for the event was Madelyn Bonnot, Executive Director of the Quincy Jones Foundation. Other JEN members participating included:  Scott McCormick, Yvonne Ervin, Marty Ashby, Barry Applewhite, Shelly Berg, Roger Brown,  John Hasse and Anthony White.

Visit www.qjconsortium.org for more info and www.DonorsChoose.org to make a donation. 

[Insert two photos, 1 -Q with Jen members in attendance, 2- Lou and Mary Jo thanking Herbie Hancock for his inspirational closing to the day].