Tom Finigan and more than 400 music education leaders and advocates convened in Washington, DC. The June 11th event shared the importance of music education with their federal legislators. South Carolina Music Educators Association President Tom Finigan (Colleton County), Past- President Colleen Marcou (Irmo), President Elect Erik Hines (Sumter) along with collegiate NAFME members from the University of South Carolina, Patrick Reindl and Johnnie Cato represented the South Carolina Music Educators Association and were among the many voices from across the country advocating for music education during the annual National Association for Music Education Hill Day. Tom Finigan stated several thoughts that came to mind as he returned to South Carolina. “Selfless. Passionate. Introspective. Genuine. Collaborative. Just a few words to describe the music educators from across the country and what they do on behalf of their students and colleagues all day, every day, year after year. We are connected through this shared Capitol Hill Day experience linearly, along with those attending before and after us. It is one thing to serve, it is another to make a difference. To summarize Deb Confredo, National President for NAFME, we can have ideas, but we have to give them legs.” Finigan stated “There’s nothing better than connecting with like minded people and organizations and working together for the passion and gift that unites humankind… music. “This year’s National Association for Music Education National Leadership Assembly was nothing short of inspiring and a jolt to the soul. There is no other profession that compares to the one of music education.” Whether it is with the folks in our own backyard, or with those from across the country, The association is a passionate group of music educators and leaders who work tirelessly with the pure knowledge that music is the existential right to every human being and will stop at nothing to make sure that everyone has access to it without barriers!
Finigan says, “Music Education is non-partisan and is certainly instrumental to success. I am honored to represent SCMEA and the NAFME with these amazing individuals and organizations!”
