It's time: start a collegiate chapter.(Forum focus: collegiate chapters)

Ah, spring, a time of renewal and flesh air! Time to deep clean the house, organize closets and clean up the yard to prepare for summer--and while you're at it, why not organize a new MTNA collegiate chapter at your institution?

Students benefit from membership in student organizations in general. Participation in groups allows students to enhance their educational

experience, deepening their understanding and experience of the world of the musician. Membership in student organizations also gives students a sense of greater inclusion and helps them feel that their individual talents and abilities are appreciated. Perhaps this might impact retention of students at an institution.

Membership in an active MTNA collegiate chapter offers several benefits in addition to those noted above. First, since MTNA is a primary association for both independent music teachers and collegiate music teachers, students participating in MTNA at the collegiate level can expect to develop a number of networking opportunities at the local, state and national levels. Interacting with professionals working in the field students aspire to join is invaluable. Local networking can be particularly advantageous for those students who plan to stay on in their communities/states after graduation and open their own studios. Forming connections with professionals also is beneficial for those who plan to pursue advanced degrees in music by allowing them to become familiar with different degree programs available nationwide, meet and interact with professors who administer them and make informed decisions about which graduate programs will best serve their needs. The most immediately appreciable benefits of participating in a collegiate chapter are the chapter activities themselves. A few ideas include:

* Attending state and/or national conferences as a chapter. Some fundraisers that have been successful for various chapters include selling or auctioning services (refreshments at various events, leaf-raking, cleaning, snow removal--the possibilities are endless!) and holding special-interest concerts. There also may be funding or special services available for your chapter through your institution (see below).

* Hosting symposium/workshops, either through extending an invitation to a music professional or directly participating in such a session (as evidenced by chapter presentations at various state and national conferences).

* Engaging in service projects to benefit the institution or the larger community. Working with local MTAs can be particularly fruitful. MTNA collegiate members also might collaborate with other on-campus organizations in projects of mutual interest.