March marks the annual celebration of music in our nation's schools. MENC, the National Association for Music Education whic is a more than 100-year old sponsoring organization, has announced "Music Lasts a Lifetime" as the theme for Music In our Schools Month (MIOSM) 2011.
Music was first authorized as a regular subject of instruction in 1838. In 1994, the National Standards for Arts Education were accepted by Secretary of Education Richard Riley, reaffirming the arts as being an essential part of education.
In 2002, the arts, including music, were deemed a "core academic subject" along with math, Science and English in federal education policy.
The Tri-M Music Honor Society at California High School has made plans to celebrate the month-long event. Both vocal music and band departments are also hard at work preparing for the upcoming Tri-County Music Contest, which will be held Saturday, March 12, at Osage High School.