NAMM's Museum of Making Music Benefit Supports ‘Access to Music’

The Museum of Making Music (MoMM), a division of the NAMM Foundation, raised more than $42, 000 at its annual gala benefit, which featured a powerful performance by celebrated slide guitarist Sonny Landreth, as well as live and silent auctions.  The funds raised during the August 16 event support the Museum’s educational programs, which promote the industry’s music making principles by providing access to music making for people of all ages. More than 160 attendees bid on musical instruments, lessons, art, jewelry, gourmet food, travel packages, and other items donated by NAMM members and members of the local business community.

“The generosity and enthusiasm that we see at this benefit reaffirms that the story our museum tells of the music-making process is perennially engaging and inspiring -- not only to our own industry insiders, but to the public at large," said Museum executive director Carolyn Grant. "The support we receive through this event enables the museum to continue to place active music making center stage against a backdrop of historic innovations and lasting legacies.”

The sold-out crowd surveyed tables laden with silent auction items such as a Lake Arrowhead vacation, a spa getaway, a personal winery and vineyard tour, chef-prepared gourmet dinner parties, and musical instruments and lessons. Some of San Diego’s favorite local eateries provided cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, and a variety of youth musicians serenaded attendees as they placed their bids.  The event’s highest bid went for a behind-the-scenes tour of Pixar Studios.

NAMM members including Alfred Music, The Blue Guitar, Buffalo Brothers, Cordoba Guitars, Daisy Rock, Deering Banjo Company, and Take Lessons.com made generous donations to make the event a success. Museum members, volunteers and community patrons were instrumental in ensuring that the event met its fundraising goals.

Internet recording sensation and hip-hop violinist Paul Dateh got the evening’s entertainment off to an electrifying start with his unique, upbeat sounds.  Famed studio guitarist Sonny Landreth performed rock standards, demonstrating the innovative slide technique that inspired Eric Clapton to label him ‘one of the most advanced musicians on the planet.’  Blues Hall of Fame musician Darrell Mansfield accompanied Landreth on harmonica for an energetic, blues-heavy set later in the evening. 

Grant presented the Museum’s Inspiration Award to Peter Gordon, who has significanlty contributed to the Museum’s strategic visioning and was pivotal in its recent newsletter re-launch. Recently retired from the City of Carlsbad’s Cultural Arts Office, Gordon is formerly the executive director of the Evanston Art Center, chief curator at the San Jose Museum of Art, and coordinator of special exhibitions at the New York State Museum. He now lends his expertise to special exhibition development and grant writing. Grant lauded Gordon’s generous donation of time and expertise in sharing his lifetime of museum knowledge. “Peter has a depth of wisdom and experience that enables him to turn complex concepts into meaningful simplicity,” Grant said. “He can ask the hard questions, provoking discussion and thought, and can lead people to make their own good decisions and conclusions without imposing his own. He is a mentor and a friend to all of us. The Museum is infinitely better thanks to him.”

The Museum of Making Music provides access to music and music making through a variety of educational outreach programs that impact thousands of adults, seniors, students and children from a variety of cultural and economic backgrounds. These efforts include in-school music lessons, adult programs such as the North Coastal New Horizons Band and the North Coast Strings Orchestra, scholarships, and educational programs.

Photo caption information: Paula Simmons and Kevin Smith, NAMM members and owners of The Violin Shop San Diego, with museum executive director Carolyn Grant

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About The Museum of Making Music
The Museum of Making Music, a division of the NAMM Foundation, explores the history and impact of the music products industry and connects people of all ages with hands-on music making.  Open to the public at NAMM industry headquarters since 2000, the Museum showcases the story of making, selling and using musical instruments and products from 1900 to present day.  Committed to connecting people of all ages in active music making, the Museum offers performances, educational outreach programs, and hands-on workshops year-round. The Museum opens to the public Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m and to industry members every day, year-round. For more information, call (760) 438-5996, visit www.museumofmakingmusic.org, and follow on Twitter and Facebook.