CARLSBAD, Calif., November 7, 2006—NAMM, the trade association of the international music products industry, today announced its request for proposals initiative for 2007. NAMM seeks to fund proposals for projects that further NAMM's mission of creating more active music makers of all ages and expanding access to music making.

NAMM is interested in programs or projects that utilize music making materials; are replicable as regional, national or international models; have a plan for sustainability; and include outcomes and impact measures, including the following:

• Group music programs with non-performance-based outcomes, including group-based music programs facilitated within senior homes, hospitals, youth groups, and parks, etc. that provide a positive music making experience to all participants regardless of prior experience
• Integrated music making programs, including programs that train educators to utilize basic music making to teach other core subjects such as math, history, world cultures, science, literature, citizenship, etc.
• Programs that train music educators to supplement their existing programs with non-traditional methods, instruments or technologies, allowing them to teach music making to students who may not be interested in traditional band and orchestra programs
• After-school music programs, including "drop-in" music making programs facilitated by music-trained youth service staff
• Programs that train music educators to utilize group-based informal music making as an after-school youth development and/or community-building tool
• Projects and programs that serve specific demographics, expand the market for music products, and are replicable, provide measurable results, and self-sustaining.

"The NAMM Board has reinvested millions of dollars to fund programs that get people of all ages playing music," said Joe Lamond, president and CEO, NAMM. "We are grateful for the opportunity to grow the market for our Members and the industry, and bring the proven benefits of music making to more people around the world."

According to Lamond, NAMM channels its revenues from trade shows into the industry through specialized programs to stimulate market demand for music products, fund music education advocacy programs and create valuable public relations campaigns that keep music making in the mind of consumers. The outcome of this "circle of benefits" he said, is a strong association dedicated to ensuring the future of the music products industry.

Interested applicants can participate in an application assistance conference call, Thursday, November 30, 2006, at 9:30 a.m. PST. Call-in instructions will be provided upon registration. To register for the conference call, send an e-mail with your name, title and organization to grants@namm.org. For information about how to submit an RFP, interested parties should visit http://www.namm.org/initiatives/namm-grants, or e-mail grants@namm.org.

About NAMM
NAMM is the not-for-profit association that unifies, leads and strengthens the $16 billion international musical instruments and products industry. NAMM’s activities and programs are designed to promote music making to people of all ages. NAMM is comprised of more than 9,000 Member companies. For more information about NAMM, interested parties can visit www.namm.org or call 800-767-NAMM (6266).