Ohio Music Retailer Wins Trip to World-Famous Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, on New Year's Day

Each year, millions of people wish they could be on hand to experience the world-famous event that launches each New Year: the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. On New Year’s Day 2005, a resident from Royalton, Ohio, will be among those whose wish is fulfilled in style. Sheri Eleck-Hass, owner of Royalton Music Center, has won airfare and a four-night stay in Pasadena, the result of a random drawing by NAMM, the International Music Products Association. NAMM held the online contest to involve its thousands of members in its second consecutive year as a float sponsor.

The association’s float, themed “Music Makes Us a Family,” features a three-generation music-making family from Arizona conducted by Sesame Street characters. The unique design will be one of the only interactive floats in parade history: parade- goers will be able to join in the fun by playing small Remo drums that will be handed out before the procession begins.

The theme of the 2005 parade is “Celebrate Family,” and Eleck-Hass’ Royalton Music Center (with locations in Royalton and Brunswick, Ohio) has a long history of making musical instruction both affordable and easily accessible to families in Ohio. Royalton even employs music therapists who offer private instruction to tap into the nurturing aspects of music, addressing communication, academics, social skills and more. Research shows music enhances the process of learning and nourishes the key systems behind all learning, including a person’s cognitive, emotional and motor capabilities.*

“NAMM’s 2005 float celebrates the important role music plays in bringing families closer together,” said Joe Lamond, president and CEO, NAMM. “We are especially happy that Sheri and the folks at Royalton Music Center, who have served their community for so many years, won this contest and get to experience firsthand the energy and excitement of the Rose Parade on New Year’s Day.”

Among the Sesame Street characters who will help NAMM’s second-ever Rose Parade float deliver the message that “Music Makes Us a Family” are Big Bird, Elmo, Oscar, Cookie Monster, Bert, Ernie, Zoe, Rosita and Honker. Last year’s NAMM float won the Isabella Coleman Award for Color and Color Harmony Through Floral Use. The 116th Annual Rose Parade will take place on Saturday, January 1, 2005.

*Konrad, R.R., “Empathy”, Arts and Social Studies, 2000.