Acheson named Lowell Mason Fellow

Drum Corps International Executive Director Dan Acheson was honored as a 2008 Lowell Mason Fellow by MENC: The National Association for Music Education, at a reception last night in Washington D.C. Acheson was acknowledged for his contributions to the field of music education along with nine other individuals, as part of MENC's National Music Education Week. "To be honored alongside so many great music educators and advocates is a bit overwhelming," Acheson said. "I have the honor of working with—and looking up to—so many amazing individuals in this profession that it is quite humbling for me to be recognized in this manner. My passion for helping to provide opportunities for a quality music education experience, and for expanding access to that experience for everyone gets stronger every day." Acheson's name will join those of other outstanding music educators, music education advocates, political leaders, industry professionals and others permanently inscribed on the 'Fellows Window' at MENC's headquarters in Reston, Va. He was nominated for the prestigious honor by Irwin Kornfeld, CEO of InTune Partners, LLC with support from Roger Eaton, Director of Marketing at Yamaha Corporation of America. "Dan is a smart and dedicated professional who works every day to see that more students have a better music education experience," Kornfeld wrote in his nomination letter. "Dan has been a tireless advocate of DCI's connection to music teachers ... He has worked to expand access to the DCI program and invested in sharing DCI's educational resources with teachers and students." The award is named after Lowell Mason (1792-1872), who co-founded the Boston Academy of Music in 1833, volunteered his time teaching music, and is credited with introducing music instruction to American public schools. In conjunction with the award, MENC's "Fund for the Advancement of Music Education" endowment has been established to support future generations of music educators. Previous Lowell Mason Fellows include Fred Rogers, composer, producer, author, and host of "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood;" Bob McGrath, singer and host of "Sesame Street;" and music advocate Joe Lamond, who is the president and CEO of NAMM, the International Music Products Association.