(NAPSA)—If you’re in tune with the notion that children connect with music, then you're in harmony with millions of people around the world. An annual worldwide concert is bringing music to the ears of music lovers from approximately 175 countries. Aptly named “The World’s Largest Concert,” the WLC was created by MENC: The National Association for Music Education to celebrate the important role music plays in a child’s education. The event connects mem- bers of school communities throughout the world and is meant to remind people of the importanceof music education. “A quality music education program should be at the core of every child’s educational experience, at all levels of their development,” says MENC president David Circle. “This concert is an excellent tool for sharing this message within the classroom and within the community.” The Positive Role Of Music Studies have shown that after eight months of keyboard lessons, preschoolers showed a 46 percent boost in their spatial reasoning IQ. In addition, it has been shown that studying music has a positive effect on students’ self-confidence, socialization, discipline and ability to focus. The Big Show This year’s WLC program’s theme is “Music: The Heart Of MSIC MENC: TheNational Assoclatlon for Music Eduoati@p) Striking a responsive chord for those who understand the importance of music in our schools is an annual concert that’s broadcast to six million people around the world. Education.” The concert will include music with an Americana flavor. It will feature such classics as “Homeon the Range”as well as patriotic favorites including “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Orchestral arrangements, vocal music, and piano accompaniments for the concert are available free online, and WLC audiences around the world will sing and play along with the featured performers from classrooms, gymnasiums and community centers around the world. The WLCis broadcast on PBS and the American Forces Television Network to an estimated six million people. A teacher’s guide is available at the Web site, www.menc.org/guides/wle/tg05/ TeachersGuide.html. MENC’s activities include other initiatives to raise awareness of the value of music education, such as The National Anthem Project and MusicFriends. For more informa- tion, visit www.menc.org.
