1st Annual ‘National Music Store Appreciation Day’ Honors Local Business Heroes, Inspiring Musicians and Promoting Music Ed

National Wanna Play Music Week, May 3-7, ends on a high note with the Friday announcement of National Music Store Appreciation Day by NAMM, the trade association of the international music products industry.  The commemorative day will recognize and thank the thousands of local business heroes who help to promote music making.

“As most musicians will attest, community music stores are largely responsible for inspiring people of all ages to pick up an instrument and learn how to play,” said Joe Lamond, CEO and president of NAMM, and lifelong drummer. “These often unsung heroes are vital to bringing the art of music-making to neighborhood kids and local residents. It’s more than just a place to buy an instrument, but rather, an inspiring space for aspiring music makers.”

According to NAMM’s latest Gallup poll research, a whopping 85 percent of people who don’t currently play a musical instrument wish that they did.  Reasons cited for not playing include lack of time and perceived lack of talent or musical ability. Studies have shown that playing music positively affects the development of cognitive skills in children and teens. The activity also builds confidence, instills self-discipline, increases productivity and helps kids and teens connect socially with their peers.

Stores around the country will be hosting music open houses and other special events on National Music Store Appreciation Day/Friday. In San Diego, NAMM retailer Piano SD will be hosting a free music workshop by acclaimed pianist, Scott Houston, known as “The Piano Guy.”  Houston will give free piano tutorials to the public and also will talk about the many scientifically-proven benefits of music-making. Other music retailers nationwide have invited celebrities to their stores for special public appearances and signing events.

Marking its fourth year, National Wanna Play Music Week is the leading initiative for NAMM’s Wanna Play? public awareness campaign which recognizes the numerous benefits that music and music education have on people’s everyday lives. The week-long campaign features different music-making initiatives each day, designed to educate the public on the proven benefits of making music and to encourage people of all ages to pick up any type of instrument and learn how to play.

National Wanna Play Music Week began on Music Monday, May 3, with “Gossip Girl” actress Taylor Momsen who performed with her band, The Pretty Reckless, in New York City, and “90210” actor Ryan Eggold who performed with students in Los Angeles. The week continued with nationwide “Flash Jams” or spontaneous music-making gatherings across the country on Tuesday, announcing the nation’s “Best Communities for Music Education” on Wednesday, Thursday’s debut of the “Celebrities Who Play” list, and on its last day, today/Friday hosting the first annual “National Music Store Appreciation Day.”

For more information on the Wanna Play? campaign, please visit wannaplaymusic.com or http://www.facebook.com/wannaplaybynamm.