Read this newsletter online

Details unveiled for Musical Extravaganza at the Tournament of Roses To celebrate the joys and benefits of playing music, Music for All has teamed with NAMM and Sesame Workshop to create a "musical extravaganza" float for the 2009 Rose Parade®. The Bands of America Honor Band, comprised of more than 300 performers, will be part of a mega-unit with a larger float featuring celebrity Bob McGrath, original member of "Sesame Street," performing with a string quartet, a jazz combo and two backup vocalists. Three smaller satellite "pods" will ride alongside it, and will feature a variety of musical talent: a vocalist, a Latin guitarist and two garbage can percussionists. A 24-person World Drumming unit will perform alongside the float with the marching band ensemble. It's unlike any parade unit ever seen or heard! Music for All has some opening and is still accepting applications for performers on trumpet, trombone, clarinet, baritone and flag. Call Music for All today at 800.848.2263 to apply. Deadline for application is August 15. Learn more and download application Download full unit description and press release Participants work to Raise Funds Despite the lure of lazy summer days, Honor Band in the Rose Parade participants are working hard to raise the funds for their participation in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Music for All's online fundraising tool, Friends Asking Friends, continues to be an outstanding resource for these eager students. 90+ participants have raised over $25,000 to date! Congratulations to two students who have already surpassed their goals: • Marissa Louthan, Haltom City, TX • Samuel Insana, Portsmouth, RI Honor Band members: It's not too late to start fundraising! To begin using the Friends Asking Friends tool, start here. Support the Honor Band in the Rose Parade and other MFA programs! Make a donation today Live Audition Dates in Indiana for Finding the Groove Young musicians age 7-14 can audition for Finding the Groove, showcasing all kinds of kids making all kinds of music. Submit a video audition to findingthegroove.com by Aug. 8, for a chance to perform at an Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra concert on October 19, 2008. Don't have a video camera? Live audition dates: Saturday, July 19 and 26, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., The Children's Museum, 3000 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis. Going to Texas Bandmasters or Orchestra Directors Conventions? Stop By and Say "Hi!" Music for All will be at TBA in San Antonio, July 27 - 30, Booth 330 and 332 and at TODA July 30 - Aug. 2, Booth 620. Stop by, say hello and pick up information on the latest and greatest Music for All, Bands of America and Orchestra America programs. AEP Releases New 2007-08 Arts Education State Policy Database - Updated information available on all 50 states and D.C. The Arts Education Partnership (AEP) is pleased to announce the release of the 2007-08 AEP Arts Education State Policy Database. Located on the AEP web site at www.aep-arts.org, this searchable database contains the latest information on arts education state policies and practices. Since 1999, AEP has gathered these data through an annual survey of arts education personnel in state education agencies in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Users can generate and print individual state profiles, customized state comparisons of specific arts education policies, or compiled 50-state reports. Also, the database provides users with links they can follow to get additional information about each state. New Lower Prices on Music for All Awareness Products Help You Support Your Music Program Music for All has lowered prices on its Awareness products making it easier to show your support of music education, while giving you the opportunity to use the products to raise funds for your own music programs. Buy in quantities to sell at your own fall contest, to supporters, or simply give as gifts to those who support your band! Order online Download the quantity discount form for fundraising or retail sales Reserve Your Great Seats Today The MFA Club Experience at Grand Nationals Lucas Oil Stadium is nearing completion and Music for All is getting ready for three Bands of America events inside this fall - culminating with the Grand National Championships, Nov. 12-15. The MFA Club Experience at Grand Nationals is even more than the best seats in the house - it offers you exclusive access and private entrance to the Club Lounge including Club only concessions and restrooms and other amenities never-before available. You'll also be supporting the mission of Music for All with your MFA Club Experience reservation. Order today for best seat locations Get a Jump on BOA Regionals and Super Regionals Band directors, there are still spots available in many Bands of America Championships, call Cam Stasa today at 800.848.2263 and get started on reserving your performance time! If you prefer to experience the shows as a patron, watch for group ticket info and give your students an incredibly motivating opportunity. You Can Make a Difference Behind the Scenes at Bands of America Championships Volunteers are an important part of making BOA Fall Championships a success! We are currently accepting volunteer applications for all of our Regional sites as well as the Grand National Championships in the soon to open Lucas Oil Stadium. Volunteers cover a variety of positions including general event flow, sales and hospitality. Get to work behind-the-scenes with one of the nation's biggest music and arts organizations. Sign up to volunteer in a city near you. Students Thrive at Summer Symposium Thanks to Music for All Scholarships Nearly 50 students from across the country received scholarships to attend the Music for All Summer Symposium, presented by Yamaha, June 23-28 on the campus of Illinois State University. Thirty-three scholarship students from Indianapolis Public Schools participated in nearly every student division, along with a dozen recipients of the L.J. Hancock Scholarships, established in memory of the band director and Music for All camp director. Read the full story of the IPS students Learn about the L.J. Hancock Scholarship Fund Visit our MFA Summer Symposium Online Coverage Center Couldn't be there in person? See what's what in our online coverage of the Music for All Summer Symposium, presented by Yamaha. You'll find video segments showcasing each division of camp, photo galleries and a daily blog that gives you a behind the scenes look at one of the nation's most comprehensive summer camps! Go to the Coverage Center Yamaha Sounds of Summer The Yamaha Sounds of Summer (SOS) program is a series of percussion experiences across the country with Yamaha's renowned percussion artists. The SOS camps are intended for percussionists grades 7 - 12 looking for a complete marching percussion training. Learn more about Sounds of Summer Music for All is supported by the Arts Council of Indianapolis and the City of Indianapolis.

July 17, 2008 In This Issue: Musical Extravaganza at Tournament of Roses Live Audition Dates - Finding the Groove Texas Bandmasters Convention AEP Releases New Arts Education State Policy Music Awareness Products MFA Club Experience at Grand Nationals Order tickets to Regionals or enroll your band Volunteer at BOA Championships Students Attend Symposium on Scholarships Summer Symposium Coverage Recap Yamaha Sounds of Summer MFA Notes Gearing Up for Grand Nationals Embed the 2008 Grand National Championship Promo Video on your website, Facebook and Myspace pages. Facebook Get in touch with Music for All! Become a fan Get Involved Intern With One of the Nation's Best! Music for All is accepting applications for fall internship positions. Paid internships at Music for All include areas of event coordination, marketing, public relations, development, sponsorship, copyright, merchandise and more. Fall positions in the Indianapolis office run from August 15 through December 15; start and end days may be flexible. Learn more and apply today!