CMENC

Kansas CMENC is the state collegiate chapter of MENC: The National Association for Music Education. With nearly 90,000 members, MENC is the largest national association dedicated to the advancement of music education and to professional growth opportunities for its members. It was founded in 1907 when 104 music teachers from sixteen states answered an invitation to take part in a special conference for school music teachers in Keokuk, Iowa.

Beginning with an enrollment of ninety students in 1930, a foundation was laid for inauguration of the MENC collegiate membership program in 1946. During the 1947-48 school year, 2,734 students were enrolled as chapter members on 157 campuses. Over the years, collegiate membership has increased to approximately one-fifth of the total MENC membership. CMENC chapters exist at most of the universities, colleges, and community colleges across Kansas. With CMENC membership, students also become members of the Kansas Music Educators Association (KMEA). They enjoy the full benefits of both KMEA and MENC. Currently, Kansas CMENC has more than 450 members that represent 26 colleges and universities across the state. In 2004, Kansas CMENC created a state executive board, which is elected each February at the state convention. This consists of a president, vice president, secretary, and one representative from each active chapter across the state. Both the CMENC President and Faculty Advisor(s) serve on the KMEA board to represent college students across Kansas.

Purpose
The purpose of CMENC membership is to afford students an opportunity for professional orientation and development while still in school, and to enable students to gain understanding of:

• The basic truths and principles that underlie the role of music in human life.
• The philosophy and function of the music education profession.
• The professional interests of members involved in the local, state, division, and national levels.
• The music industry's role in support of music education.
• The knowledge and practices of the professional music educator as facilitated through chapter activity.

If you are a professional or student in the field of music education, we encourage you to join and participate in KMEA.