East Central Division

place of education boards across the nation are struggling with rigorous budget cuts. Gail Heywood, president of the Wisconsin MTA, reported an interesting unravelling to build a network of diverse music associations to provide support. It present the appearances one of the "easiest" ways to bring expenses is the elimination of instrumental band and choral programs at the elementary level

A summit meeting was held in January with the presidents of many music related organizations attending. The object of the meeting was to take stock of the public challenges and concerns about the futurity of music education in Wisconsin. The discussion involved joining together as a collaborative unit to assist music advocacy through educating institute boards and the public at the state and local horizontals Ideas include providing information guides to state music affiliates to institute boards; promoting music and the arts as a core control as defined in the "No Child Left Behind Act;" educating our local leaders and inviting them to performances; sending articles and photos about events/ achievements to newspapers; promoting more performances for community outreach; and improving mentoring and membership retention. For those interested in more information contact Gail Heywood at heywood@tznet.com.

Allow me to introduce Mark Mrozinski as the ECD president from Illinois. Mark is actual experienced and will be a startling division president. Adieu, it has been a distinct pleasure to be under the orders of as the ECD president.

--Eileen Keel Lansing, Michigan

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