News Releases

The NAMM Foundation announced today that it sponsored and participated in the fifth annual Americans for the Arts National Arts Policy Roundtable at Sundance on Sept. 24, featuring a gathering of people from various professions and backgrounds who care about advancing the arts nationwide.

The NAMM Foundation announced today that it is inviting college students with music business or music education majors to attend the “Generation Next” program at the 2011 NAMM Show.  This unique program offers professional development sessions and networking opportunities to help launch their careers in the music products industry.

An elite panel of four music industry judges, comprising rock legends and music industry leaders, will select the 2010 best corporate rock band in the 10th Annual Fortune Battle of the Corporate Bands. Presented by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, the finals event will take place at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Oct. 1-2 in Cleveland, Ohio.

NAMM today announced a workforce reduction affecting eight individuals in an effort to better manage costs and balance its budget. The global economic downturn and slower recovery period have greatly impacted NAMM Members and the international music products industry more than anyone could have anticipated. In 2009, facing an estimated 17 percent overall decrease in U.S. industry sales, NAMM Members reduced all marketing costs including trade show spending, thereby reducing NAMM's income.

The TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio today announced the nominees for the 26th Annual Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards, to be held Friday, January 14, 2011 at the NAMM Show in Anaheim, California. The TEC Awards is the world’s most prominent awards show honoring outstanding achievement in professional audio production and product innovation.

School choirs, drama clubs and bands are set to win the popularity contest this fall, thanks to shows like “Glee” and “Camp Rock 2.” Today NAMM released the findings of an August 2010 Harris Poll, in which kids said musical TV shows or movies have made them want to become involved in various musical activities. Illustrating the increased influence of music-themed entertainment programs, 31 percent of the more than 1,800 kids (ages 8 to18) surveyed nationwide, want to become involved in music-making activities thanks to their favorite musical shows, with:

 The NAMM Foundation announced today that Sept. 30, 2010 is the final deadline for college students to apply for a 2011 NAMM President’s Innovation Award. The award supports college students interested in and planning for careers in the music products industry to attend professional development activities at the world-famous NAMM Show Jan. 13-16, 2011 in Anaheim, Calif. Interested parties must submit their application online at www.nammfoundation.org by 5 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on Sept. 30. 

Eight of the best rock bands from top companies across the country have advanced to the finals of the 10th Annual Fortune Battle of the Corporate Bands. The national competition is in search of the best amateur, company-sponsored bands, with the goal of promoting the benefits of making music, which have been shown to increase employee morale and productivity in the workplace. The eight qualifying bands will take the stage at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio, on Oct. 1 - 2, and have the opportunity to earn the title of best corporate band in the U.S.

 The NAMM Foundation announced today that it will sponsor the 11th International Conference on Music Perception and Cognition (ICMPC) Aug. 23-27, 2010, which is being held at the University of Washington, in Seattle, Wash.

Just in time for back-to-school, teen bands have the chance to showcase their talent beyond their garage jam sessions by entering the second annual national SchoolJam USA competition. Beginning today, middle and high school teens, who aspire to be discovered by music industry professionals, have a passion for music, and want to help promote the significance of their schools’ music programs, can enter the SchoolJam USA competition at www.schooljamusa.com.   

 The NAMM Foundation announced today the final recipients of its 2010 Music Products Industry Tuition and William R. Gard Memorial Scholarships. The programs support the academic expenses of qualified individuals enrolling in college music education and business programs in the fall of 2010. Following is a list of recipients for the respective programs: Music Product Industry Tuition Scholarship Awardees Kristina Borders-Jasper, Indiana Annika Bugge-Fort Wayne, Indiana Grace Castaneda-Corpus Christi, Texas

NAMM announced today that it will be providing important new compliance information specifically for luthiers and small-shop businesses that deal with shipping wooden instruments. New amendments to the Lacey Act have been instituted and NAMM is stressing the importance for these Members, and all Members dealing with wooden instruments, to understand and follow these new guidelines.