McKEESPORT, PA (December 3, 2014)— Progressive Music is continuing its efforts to expand the role of music and the arts in education by joining the Music Education Policy Roundtable (MEPR). MEPR works to ensure the presence and perseverance of school music programs, by advocating for Music Education policy among political and governmental agencies.
“Ensuring that every child in Western Pennsylvania and across the country has access to a quality music and arts education is key to what we do at Progressive Music,” said Mark Despotakis, Director of Market Development at Progressive Music. “We work at the local, state and federal lev
el championing the music education cause. Joining the Roundtable is a natural next step in our advocacy efforts.”
“I could not be more pleased to welcome Mark Despotakis and Progressive Music to our growing coalition of music education supporters,” added National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Assistant Executive Director Christopher Woodside. “Mark has been a vocal supporter of classroom music as well as a seasoned advocate on Capitol Hill for the cause. Progressive Music’s membership on the Roundtable further strengthens our cause on behalf of music teachers and students.”
A group created and administered by NAfME in February of 2011, MEPR is the unification of many music education advocacy organizations under a single banner. The roundtable works to achieve a consensus of federal legislative recommendations with the aim to ensure the presence and perseverance of school music programs operated by certified music educators teaching sequential, standards-based music education to students across the nation.
“We are delighted to add Progressive Music, a national leader in music industry products and vocal supporter of quality music education for every student, to the Music Education Policy Roundtable,” said NAfME Executive Director and CEO Michael A. Butera. “We recognize the value that industry support brings to advocacy, and the addition of Progressive Music to the Roundtable amplifies our message of universal access to classroom music as a critical element in enriching the lives of all students.”
Progressive Music is proud to join the impressive and growing collection of music education advocacy organizations that make up The MEPR, including: NAfME, American String Teachers Association, American Orff-Schulwerk Association, Chorus America, Drum Corps International, Education through Music, Gordon Institute for Music Learning, GRAMMY Foundation, iSchoolMusic.org, Music for All, Music Teachers National Association, National Association of Music Merchants, National Music Council, Organization of American Kodaly Educators, Percussive Arts Society, Phi Mu Alpha, Quadrant Arts Education Research, The Recording Academy, VH1 Save the Music Foundation, and more.
In addition to membership in The MEPR, Progressive Music actively works to lobby for music education with: NAMM, The National Association of Music Merchants; PMEA, The Pennsylvania Music Educators Association; and The Pennsylvania Arts Education Network.
About Progressive Music
Progressive Music is a business with a mission to enrich the quality of life serving as a cultural and community center for all who make music for a living or personal enjoyment, regardless of age of ability. Progressive Music is the link between the public and suppliers of quality musical merchandise. The Progressive Music staff are professionals whose expertise assist, guide, and motivate people in the selection of music industry products as well present music education to the public through lessons, seminars and advocacy. Progressive Music is committed to their products with an experienced and knowledgeable service center. To learn more, visit www.progressivemusiccompany.com or visit Progressive Music on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.