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The National Federation of Music Clubs, a prominent organization of musicians and music lovers, celebrated its 123rd anniversary this year with its annual sponsorship of National Music Week in May – the 99th year of the observance.

The week was filled with music programs across the nation, radio and television shows, a national Music Week Essay contest and a national Music in Poetry Contest.

Opportunities were provided for organized musical forces throughout the U.S., as well as religious, educational and civic groups to join music lovers in emphasizing the joy and pleasure to be gained from making music.

Quoted from the NFMC website: “National Music Week offers an opportunity to salute music, the common denominator for people of all nations throughout this century. Music is a natural part of the inner man – a natural means of communication. Early historical records prove there has always been some form of music. Music has been important throughout history. It exerts a strong influence on our everyday lives and has become a powerful means to deepen our worship, express patriotic fervor, and add a joyous atmosphere to many happy occasions.”  www.nfmc-music.org

This year’s National Music Week theme was “Music…is a Story Teller” and was chosen by NFMC as an encouragement to all to explore the far-reaching effects of music in our lives and to discover the added dimension it can bring to the world today.

A local student, Arabella Yaroszewski, was named the winner of this year’s NFMC Angie Greer Music in Poetry contest. Arabella’s submission was chosen from among 362 entries, covering 13 states in the southeast region of the U.S.  Submissions.

Entries were included from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, NC, SC, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. Her winning entry was submitted by her teacher, Teresia Queen, titled:  “The Steps of Music.”

The Angie Greer Music in Poetry event is open to all students who hold membership in the NFMC and are in grades 7-12.  The entry must be an original, unpublished creation of each entrant. A winner is chosen in each of the five regions of the U.S. They receive a regional title for 2021 and a cash award.  The winning entries are also published in the NFMC national magazine “Junior Keynotes.”

Arabella Yaroszewski is the daughter of Joseph and Susan Yaroszewski and twin sister to last year’s poetry contest winner, E.J. Both students have completed their fifth year in the NFMC Junior Festival held each year at Wake Forest in piano events and musicianship. Both have been homeschooled this past year for the eighth grade and will be attending a private high school beginning in the fall.

Arabella’s hobbies include, music, reading, volleyball and church activities.

Printed below is Arabella’s winning entry for 2021: