First Note

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The National Association for Music Education has made an exclusive arrangement with filmmaker John Meyers to make available First Note, a 15-minute movie about what music can mean in a young person’s life. First Note tells the story of a 14-year old Vermont farm boy who finds something quite special one cold night in his cow barn. With the help of a remarkable schoolteacher, he is able to glimpse what his new discovery might mean in his life on the farm.

“My inspiration for the film came in part from observing close-up the amazing rapport between a music teacher and her students while filming a television series for MENC some time back,” says Meyers. “First Note is meant to leave young people with the sense that a relationship with music is something that can positively shape your life no matter what path you choose, even if the only audience for the music you play is yourself and the cows.”

The music for First Note was composed by Marc Faris and performed by cellist Chris Eubank, featuring the Durham indie rock band The Sames. “In the sense that I had to think about music from a whole new perspective, this score was probably the most difficult project I've undertaken to date,” Yet it was also one of the most rewarding!” remarks Faris. “This experience reminded me that music is so amazing because of its ability to inspire and galvanize, in different ways, with different meanings, for different people.”

“As the association dedicated to the advancement of music education, MENC is pleased to make this film available to the public,” says John J. Mahlmann, Executive Director of MENC. “ First Note convincingly conveys how music, more than just being beneficial to children’s brain development, is a powerful and life-enriching gift that should be accessible to all.”

First Note, produced by Tern Productions, is available to order at www.menc.org The accompanying Web site for the film is www.FirstNoteTheFilm.com For more information, call MENC at 1-800-336-3768.