U.S. Secretary of Education Speaks at NAMM Event About School Music Programs

The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), the non-profit John Lennon Educational Tour Bus and SupportMusic.com yesterday hosted U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, former Secretary of Education Richard Riley and local Washington DC-area students on board the state-of-the-art recording facility where The Black Eyed Peas, Fergie, John Legend and more have recorded tracks. With the goal of keeping music and the arts as core curriculum in every child’s education, Secretary Duncan spoke at the event held outside of the U.S. Dept. of Education about music and art education’s many benefits and why these subjects are essential.

"I'd like to thank all the students, teachers and NAMM for your passion in this area," said Duncan. "We're trying to put a lot of money around giving kids a well-rounded education—not just high school, but our 5, 6 and 7 year-olds too. I wish it wasn't a fight, but let's face it—it is a fight.  This is about giving these kids a chance to develop their skills, their abilities and their self-esteem. Together, we have to win this and win it for every single child in this country."
 
NAMM continues its lobbying activities today with more than 80 meetings with Members of Congress on Capitol Hill.