News Releases

NAMM, the 108-year-old, not-for-profit association of the international music products industry, concluded its annual National Wanna Play Music Week today, after a monumental period of music making that drew the participation of stars, such as Kevin Bacon and Yoko Ono.  With the goal to build awareness of the proven benefits of playing musical instruments for people of all ages, NAMM executed the week-long series of events to encourage the music maker in every American.

NAMM, the trade association of the international music products industry, announced today that Matt Goldman, founder, Blue Man Group, the international entertainment phenomenon best known for their popular live theatrical and musical events, and Blue Man Group from the New York City cast will join the association in Washington D.C. to meet with members of Congress about the importance of music education in schools.

NAMM, the trade association of the international music products industry, announced today that it will host the organization’s first “Virtual Advocacy Days,” allowing more U.S. NAMM Members to participate in the association’s annual advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill, learn about legislative activities that impact the music products industry, and support access to music education in public schools.

NAMM, the 108-year-old, not-for-profit association of the international music products industry, kicked off its annual National Wanna Play Music Week today through May 8 to help build awareness of the proven benefits of playing musical instruments for people of all ages.  Considering that playing music is an ability that is wished for by 85 percent of Americans, according to a recent Gallup poll*, NAMM has developed several new applications and services to help anyone easily get started.

The NAMM Foundation announced today that it sponsored the first-ever Quincy Jones Musiq Consortium, an event that was created by musician Quincy Jones to bring together leaders from higher education, the nonprofit service sector and the music industry to explore ideas and strategies for expanding access to music education for all children.

According to a new Gallup survey, interest in playing music is at an all-time-high as outlined by the 2009 Public Attitudes Towards Music study, which was conducted on behalf of NAMM (the National Association of Music Merchants), the not-for-profit trade association for the international music products industry. The study indicates that more people are currently playing music and own musical instruments than have in the last decade, despite challenges to music education programs in the schools.

The NAMM Foundation today announced the results of its tenth annual “Best Communities for Music Education” survey, which acknowledges schools and districts across the U.S. for their commitment and support of music education in schools. As the economy challenges state and local school budgets to adequately support education, the 124 school districts named by the NAMM Foundation demonstrate the unwavering commitment to provide music education for their students.

The NAMM Foundation announced today that the organization and a handful of NAMM Members and associates participated in the National School Boards Association’s (NSBA) 69th annual conference to communicate to thousands of school board members the benefits of children actively participating in school music programs.

NAMM, the trade association of the international music products industry, is encouraging everyone to discover their inner musician by picking up an instrument and playing at least once on May 4 in celebration of Music Monday. Whether you're young or older, research conducted by NAMM shows that playing music has significant developmental, social and wellness benefits. Children who play music do better in school; people over age 45 who make music can use the activity to reduce stress; and seniors who play often use it as a social outlet.

NAMM, the trade association of the international music products industry, announced today that it is providing free Sesame Street Music Works materials to all NAMM Member retailers who are looking to boost interest in making music among a new generation of future musicians in their communities. NAMM is offering the following Sesame Street Music Works materials: •    The Music Works Wonders DVD, featuring interactive musical activities for 2-6 year olds led by the popular Sesame Street characters

Senators Chris Dodd (D- CT) and Lamar Alexander (R-TN) today announced the release of a Government Accountability Office (GAO) study addressing access to music and arts education for public school students as a result of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). Dodd and Alexander called for the study in response to reports that the testing requirements of NCLB were forcing some schools, particularly those that serve low-income and minority students, to narrow their curriculum and restrict access to music and arts education.

NAMM, the trade association of the international music products industry, today announced a new three-year deal with the City of Anaheim and the Anaheim Convention Center to continue to host “the NAMM Show,” the association’s 108-year-old trade show for the musical instruments and products industry, through 2013.