NATIONAL GUILD UPGRADES STATUS OF MUSIC PROGRAM

The Board of Trustees of the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts has upgraded the membership category of Southeast Missouri State University's Music Preparatory Program from "provisional" to "associate institutional."

The program met several specific guidelines in order to receive the new status, including an enrollment of at least 100 participating students. The Music Preparatory Program currently has 125 students.

Other guidelines call for the program to provide quality instruction, participation and exposure to the arts at affordable rates to all who seek it regardless of age, race, religion or ability level.

During the upgrading process, Katherine Fletcher of the Rhodes College Music Academy in Memphis, commended Becky Fulgham, director of Southeast's Music Preparatory Program, and the faculty for their efforts in improving the program.

The Music Preparatory Program at Southeast Missouri State University is a non-profit program that offers instruction for all band and orchestral instruments, piano, organ, guitar and voice to all age groups, from pre-school students through adults.