Music Education

The NAMM Foundation today announced the results of the ninth annual “Best Communities for Music Education” survey, which includes 110 school districts across the United States. The designated programs exemplify community commitment to include music education as part of a quality education for all children. The NAMM Foundation and its music education advocacy efforts work to ensure that all children have access to quality music education programs that encourage lifelong participation in music making.

Where are the best communities for music education? The ninth annual “Best Communities for Music Education” (BCME) survey, sponsored by the NAMM Foundation
( www.nammfoundation.org), is searching for school districts that support music education and include music education offerings as part of a complete education for all students.

NAMM, the trade association of the international music products industry, announced today that in conjunction with back-to-school season, many organizations around the nation have joined the SupportMusic Coalition as a way to advocate on behalf of music education in their local schools.

Students in high-quality school music education programs score higher on standardized tests compared to students in schools with deficient music education programs, according to a study published in last week’s issue of the Journal for Research in Music Education. This is the first study ever to examine the quality of school music programs as a factor affecting test scores, independent of the socio-economic level of the school or school district.

NAMM, the trade association of the international music products association, today announced it will offer free materials to NAMM Member retailers who would like to show their support for music and music education in their communities.

The Sesame Street Music Works Community Outreach Bundle and SupportMusic Community Action Kit can be used to show retailers’ support for families and schools, increase the size their sales markets, and promote their businesses as the source for music making and music education advocacy in their respective communities.

NAMM, the trade association of the international music products association, today announced that the U.S. Senate unanimously passed House Concurrent Resolution 121 on Tuesday. The Resolution states that music education grounded in rigorous instruction is an important component of a well-rounded academic curriculum and should be available to every student in every school.

According to NAMM, the Resolution underscores the vital need for all children to receive the many scholastic, social and developmental benefits that are associated with making music.

NAMM, the trade association of the international music products industry, today announced that Senator Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) and Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) sent a letter to David Walker, the Comptroller General of the Government Accountability Office (GAO), requesting that the GAO conduct a study on access to music and arts education in the American public school system since passage of the No Child Left Behind Act.

Members of Congress discussed the benefits and importance of school-based music education for children on the House floor today, resulting in the passage of House Concurrent Resolution 121. After some discussion, the Resolution was passed unanimously, showing a display of continued support from Congress for music education as part of a complete education for all children.

The VH1 Save The Music Foundation and NAMM, the International Music Products Association is celebrating a donation of $400,000 to help restore 14 public school music programs throughout Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Hundreds of musical instruments have been donated to ensure that public school students throughout the Gulf Coast region have access to music education programs in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

According to the results of the eighth annual “Best 100 Communities for Music Education” survey, repeat recipients of this prestigious distinction cite increased enrollment in and funding for school music programs. While music education has been linked to higher SAT scores, math grades and future success in life, the survey also found that many students hailing from a "Best 100" community have continued their musical pursuits professionally as educators, or playing for renowned symphonies, opera houses, orchestras and on Broadway.