News Releases

More school-aged children nationwide will have access to music and the arts, thanks to the inclusion of both subject areas as part of a well-rounded education in the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The bill passed the Senate on with a vote of 85 to 12 and was signed by the President on December 10, 2015.

The NAMM Foundation presents the 31st annual NAMM Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards and the NAMM TECnology Hall of Fame on January 23 at the 2016 NAMM Show. The events honor the best in audio and sound production as well as the most impactful audio technology products from the last 75 years. Record producer and music industry executive Don Was will receive the 2016 Les Paul Award, an annual recognition of those who embody the creative spirit and legacy of one of the most revered musical geniuses who ever lived.

The NAMM Foundation works year round to create a world in which every child has a deep desire to learn music and a recognized right to be taught. Now NAMM members and all of those who share that vision are invited to help support the Foundation’s work through the ‘Believe in Music’ fund.

During the 2016 NAMM Show, NAMM members will have access to more than 120 free educational sessions designed to turn tips into substantial growth. NAMM unveils a fresh lineup of educational sessions that will support many facets of the music product industry from in-store and online retail to manufacturers, pro audio and technology.

The NAMM Foundation makes this week’s Institute for Music and Neurologic Function’s (IMNF) 20th Anniversary forum possible. The forum entitled Celebrating the Science of Music and the Brain in Human Development, Health and Healing focuses on the IMNF’s central work: how and why music affects brain development and healing. 

NAMM stepped up to support the first China Conference on Music Education with the Chinese Society for Music Education (CSME) during October’s Music China. Music education experts from China and the U.S. provided insights into different methodologies, education theories and current best practices in music education. A convened group of around 1,500 Chinese music educators, researchers, and post-graduate students participated in the first free national music education gathering.

The NAMM MUSEUM of Making Music (MoMM) rounds out a successful year of vibrant events and well-attended exhibitions with “LOW: The Power & Beauty of Bass,” opening November 8, 2015. The latest special exhibition running through summer 2016 explores the world of bass – the sounds that fall below 262 Hertz on the frequency spectrum as well as the low register instruments that make them. Bass sounds are considered critical in music making with its importance often compared to an engine or compass within music.

Pulling up to the National Association of Music Merchant’s (NAMM) Carlsbad, CA headquarters members will notice a major new addition, state-of-the-art solar panels now cover NAMM’s parking lot. Following a nearly yearlong project, NAMM has installed 714 solar panels that will provide clean energy, shade and power vehicles. The solar installation will cut NAMM’s operational electricity costs by more than 98%, while providing ample shade to visiting NAMM members and NAMM MUSEUM of Making Music guests.

School districts and schools across the country have the opportunity to receive national recognition for their commitment to providing students with access to comprehensive music education. NAMM Foundation’s 2016 Best Communities for Music Education (district) and SupportMusic Merit Award (individual school) surveys are now open. Music teachers and school administrators are invited to complete the 2016 survey between now until Saturday, January 30, 2016.

The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus hits the road this fall to help keep music education strong in six of NAMM Foundation’s Best Communities for Music Education. The tour includes SupportMusic Forums and Lennon Bus residencies. During the residencies, students will have the unique opportunity to write, record, and produce original songs and music videos. The NAMM Foundation will host a SupportMusic Community Forum at each school inviting educators, NAMM members and community leaders to galvanize local support for music education.

The NAMM MUSEUM of Making Music (MoMM), a division of the NAMM Foundation, raised more than $45,000 at its annual “Play it Forward” Gala on Sunday, October 4. The gala featured an intimate performance by music legends Mavis Staples and Joan Osborne, and spirited live and silent auctions. All of the funds raised will help to offset the operating costs of the Museum's year-round music education programs, which serve thousands of children, adults and seniors each year.

The global music products industry can expect to see thousands of business opportunities and expanding member benefits on arrival to Anaheim for the 2016 NAMM Show. The more than 96,000 people expected to attend from January 21 to 24 will have the chance to experience the latest in music instruments and products, while learning from fellow industry leaders about the best music-business practices. The 2016 NAMM Show floor plan posted today, offers a first look at new features, pavilions, education areas and more.