News Releases

NAMM, the trade association of the international music products industry, today announced its request for proposals initiative for 2007. NAMM seeks to fund proposals for projects that further NAMM's mission of creating more active music makers of all ages and expanding access to music making. NAMM is interested in programs or projects that utilize music making materials; are replicable as regional, national or international models; have a plan for sustainability; and include outcomes and impact measures, including the following:

NAMM, the trade association of the international music products industry, today announced that its youth-targeted online magazine and Web resource called The Music Edge (www.themusicedge.com) is teaming up with The Percussion Marketing Council for the fourth annual International Drum Month Gear Giveaway.

High school principals strongly believe that music education promotes the academic success of their students, according to a study released by NAMM and MENC: The National Association for Music Education.

NAMM, the trade association of the international music products industry, today announced its search for a new staff director to manage market outreach and promotion strategies in order to increase active participation in music making. The Director of Market Development position will create and maintain national partnerships and promotions that will be executed in local markets to directly impact NAMM Member retail stores.

NAMM, the trade association of the international music products industry, today announced it is joining with Americans for the Arts, the nation's leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America, in presenting a national media campaign to promote the importance of music and art education. The organizations will work together to communicate the vital role that music and all of the arts play in the lives of children as they develop, and for people of all ages.

Suit Tie Hi Fi, the corporate band from the workers compensation firm Cambridge Australia based in Sydney, Australia, was awarded top honors in the final playoffs of The Sixth Annual FORTUNE Battle of the Corporate Bands. Nine bands competed in the final playoffs Oct. 7, 2006, at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum after a yearlong musical competition.

NAMM, the trade association of the international music products industry, today announced it will work with MENC: The National Association for Music Education to produce its entry in the 118th Tournament of Roses Parade. This year's float will celebrate the music products industry's commitment to music education and will feature live performances by the Oak Ridge Boys, a 100-member honors chorus singing "The Star-Spangled Banner," as well as a live drum circle.

Music enriches us all, and the seeds for appreciating it are planted in childhood. The HBO Family presentation, "The Music in Me: Children's Recitals From Classical to Latin, Jazz to Zydeco," profiles young musicians around the country from different musical and cultural traditions. The first segment of a three-part series debuts Saturday, Oct. 7, from 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m./PT exclusively on HBO.

NAMM today announced a new benefit to make health insurance available to its Members. The new service will be offered by Mercer Health & Benefits, a leading health care solutions provider and subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan Companies.

NAMM, the International Music Products Association, today announced that its summer NAMM conference, the industry's second U.S. gathering, will take place July 27–29, 2007, in Austin, Texas. To improve the event and meet the specific needs of attendees and exhibitors, NAMM plans to add several new features, which the association will announce in early 2007. The changes come in response to feedback from thousands of NAMM Members received before, during and after the 2006 summer show.

NAMM, the International Music Products Association, recently launched the Independent Retailer Online Forum at http://indie.namm.org, a place on the Web for NAMM Members to share ideas and facilitate open discussion about issues and challenges specific to independent retailers.

A brand-new event for the MI industry has been announced for May 2007 in Beijing: CIMM – China International Music Market. Positioned as a "player's show" for the domestic China market, CIMM will bring instrument makers and suppliers from all over the world together with musicians, dealers and retailers from Beijing and the northern part of China. CIMM is a collaboration between China Music Instrument Association (CMIA), INTEX Shanghai, NAMM and Messe Frankfurt—the organizers of the world's biggest and best MI industry trade fairs.