Multi-Cultural Awareness

The Multi-Cultural Awareness Commission (MCAC) of NCMEA has been in place, in one form or another, for two decades, yet few may be aware of its origins, purpose, or objectives. To increase our understanding of and appreciation for the manner in which MENC and our own state organization have responded to critical issues regarding music, education, and our society, a brief history of MCAC is presented here.

Formed by MENC in 1973, MCAC began as the Minority Concerns Commission and consisted of representatives from each of the MENC regional divisions. Its statement of policy reflected a desire to promote the involvement of diverse ethnic groups in the planning of programs and activities at the local, state and national levels of MENC. In addition, two specific goals were articulated: (1) to encourage the involvement of people of diverse backgrounds in the planning of activities and conferences, in music industry promotions, and in policy-making within MENC, and (2) to include the music of world cultures in all levels of curriculum planning, publications, and conferences.

By 1979, the Minority Concerns Commission had undergone two names changes: Minority Awareness Commission, and Multi-Cultural Awareness Commission, the name the commission bears today. These changes reflected MENC's broadening interest in promoting equitable music experiences for students and teachers. MCAC operated as a commission until the summer of 1982 when the structure of MCAC was changed to include a national chair and state coordinators or chairs.

The development of our state MCAC followed quickly. Appointed in 1980 by then President Billiegene Garner, Bill Crowder was the first commission chair, followed in subsequent years by Sharon Frazier, Celia Davidson, Sharon McNair, Connie McKoy, Kay Edwards, Valerie Johnson, Connie McKoy,Treda Berry, Donna Wiggins, Gloria Knight and current chair, Jason D. Thompson. Through their efforts, often in collaboration with section chairs, NCMEA members have been afforded opportunities at conference to expand their perspectives on multicultural music teaching and learning, to collect useful and valuable materials, and to immerse themselves in the joy and mystery of music-making within specific cultural contexts.

MCAC serves as a resource within NCMEA for information on curricular, pedagogical, and philosophical approaches to the teaching and learning of music within a framework of multiculturalism and diversity. Moreover, MCAC stands ready to respond to the needs of our membership. In forming the Multi-Cultural Awareness Commission, MENC's intent is clear: it is another means by which we may demonstrate the meaning of our motto, "Music for every child; every child for music."