(New Orleans)–Loyola University New Orleans' chapter of Music Educator's National Conference (MENC) is busy working on community service projects to bring music to school children in the Greater New Orleans area. This semester, the students are hosting an "Instrument Petting Zoo" for local school children. The next program will occur on Wednesday, November 8, at 10 a.m., in Nunemaker Auditorium, located in Monroe Hall.

The students in MENC planned the program to introduce school children in New Orleans to the instruments of the orchestra and to play for them. Letters were sent out to schools inviting all school-aged children in PK through 4th grades. Members also submitted a proposal for a grant from the student government association to provide buses for the schools who could not afford bus transportation.

Virginia Olander, professor of music education and faculty adviser for MENC, notes that the children love the program and are very responsive to learning about the instruments. Members of MENC are future music teachers who are studying to become certified music educators. For more information, please visit: http://www.loyno.edu/~menc/