Each new MENC president chooses a theme that will express his or her philosophy and intended focus for the organization. The theme the author has chosen is Music: The Heart of Education. Why this theme? Where did it come from? What meanings can be read into it or gleaned from it? When it comes to building lasting relationships with students and having a positive influence on students, music teachers have an advantage over most of their colleagues. Music teachers often have the opportunity to work with students over multiple years rather than for a semester or two. The relationships that develop and the resulting influence are evident when students return year after year to visit their former music teachers. Music teachers are music teachers because they have a love, indeed a passion, for music. This article explains the reasons why the author chose the theme Music: The Heart of Education.