Just so you know, I am not dead!

I'm sorry, folks. (Or actually, I'm sorry to the one person that actually reads my blog.) I know it seems like I've fallen off the face of the Earth, but fear not! I am back and intend to update more frequently...as long as it does not interfere with my studies.

But now...for the actual issue!

I was walking down the hallway in the School of Music a couple of weeks ago when I saw a box full of MENC's publication, the Music Educator's Journal, just sitting there with a "Free Stuff" sign on the wall next to it. I picked up a copy and started flipping through it, and lo and behold, I saw an article featuring my favorite Presidential candidate! So here it is, from the September issue:


Huckabee Says Music Is a Key Education Component

Speaking to Centennial Congress attendees at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, Florida, on June 26, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee said, "When I hear people asking how do we fix the education system, I tell them we need to do the opposite of what is happening: cutting budgets by cutting music programs."

"Nothing could be stupider than removing the ability for the left and right brains to function," Huckabee told attendees.

A longtime arts advocate, he added, "Ask CEOs what they are looking for in an employee and they say they need people who understand teamwork, people who are disciplined, people who understand the big picture. You know what they need? They need musicians."

Joining Governor Huckabee as speakers were representatives of the realms of school boards, school administrations, state boards if education, research, the music industry, and higher education.

For more information on the Orlando Centennial Congress, including comments from other speakers, visit www.menc.org/news in September.


If you are a musician reading this, you should be jumping for joy! THERE IS A PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE THAT WILL SUPPORT US AND OUR INDUSTRY!

I showed this article to the other people I rode the elevator with, and they were definitely interested. But interest isn't enough. To get Huckabee in office--and in a position to make sure music education doesn't become obsolete--we actually have to act.

If you are a musician reading this, tell other musicians about Huckabee. Spread the word. Put up a poster in your campus' school of music or in coffee shops or bars where musicians play. Let your elementary-, middle-, and high-school teachers know. Huckabee is an underdog right now, but if we as musicians give him our support for the state primaries, he will have something no other candidate can really claim: a support base that spans over the gaps between gender, ethnicity, religion, or age.

However, you should not take my word for it--especially if you are an education major or a current music teacher. Google Huckabee and find out for yourself if he is someone you would trust to lead our country. And most importantly, get off your butts and VOTE in the state primaries!

So that's my rant for today. Come back later for other news!