What is the Tri-M Music Honor Society? Tri-M, once named the “Modern Music Masters” is the international honor society for music students in junior and senior high school. It is a program of MENC: the Music Educator’s National Conference, a national association for music education, comprised of over 85, 000 music education professionals nationwide who realize the importance of motivating students and recognizing music achievements.

­What does Tri-M do? Many things! Tri-M serves the school and community in various ways. Some of these may include: providing ushers for music concerts, providing soloists to perform at school events, giving solo and ensemble performances for local community organizations, fundraising for charities, honoring people in the community for their contributions to music, and much, much more. In the past six years, our chapter has sponsored concerts to raise money for charity, performed at a local home for the developmentally disabled, sold flowers at concerts, honored several community supporters of music, and sponsored two “coffeehouse cabaret nights” with donations given to a Gates Chili family in need, and the Leukemia Lymphoma Society of Western New York. .

What does Tri-M offer me? Our Tri-M chapter meets once a month during the school year to plan chapter activities. Our Tri-M members are recognized as a part of an international group of young musicians. You retain membership even after you’ve graduated. In addition, our members are eligible to compete for music scholarships to further their music studies. Tri-M also presents a wonderful opportunity for leadership. There are currently five offices elected by the chapter. We are seeking strong leadership for the future and anyone is eligible to run for office. Think of how that would look on your college application! Perhaps the greatest importance is to share that which is unique to all Tri-M members—the joy and the camaraderie in the music experience.

What do I do to become a member? Tri-M is an honor society and it does have a few requirements. You are required to maintain and 85 overall average in school and a 95 average in your music course. You must complete an application for acceptance and submit two letters of recommendation (one from outside school). You will also be required to perform in a candidate’s recital . Upon acceptance, you will also take part in a formal membership presentation ceremony.

Anything else I should know? The only other requirements, once you have been accepted are the following:

You are expected to attend chapter meetings

You are expected to participate in Tri-M functions

You are expected to well represent our school and the Gates Chili Music Program.