March is traditionally known as Music in our Schools Month. To honor of this event, the University of Arkansas Collegiate Chapter of the National Association for Music Education has collaborated with the Arkansas Music Educators Association (ArkMEA) to organize the first Arkansas State Advocacy Day for Music Education at the State Capitol in Little Rock on Wednesday, March 18.

For 23 years, ArkMEA has hosted children from across Arkansas to come to the Capitol rotunda and perform and celebrate music in our schools. This year, the children will be joined in attendance by Collegiate Music Education Majors from the University of Arkansas, University of Central Arkansas, and the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith.

Alexis Newman, a junior music education and music theory major in the Department of Music, assisted ArkMEA leadership in organizing this event.

"After attending the National Association for Music Education's Collegiate Advocacy Summit and lobbying for music education in Washington D.C., I was inspired to create a similar advocacy effort in the state of Arkansas," Newman said.

The day will begin with a keynote address by Haley Greer, President of the Arkansas Music Educators Association and Alexis Newman, followed by a performance by members of the University of Arkansas Flute Studio.

Throughout the day, collegiate students will visit with Arkansas legislators to discuss the importance and impact of music education.

The University of Arkansas Department of Music will be represented by Jenelle Edwards, Hannah Martin, Elizabeth Perry, Valeri Rymer, Alexandra Trawick and Alexis Newman.