News Releases

The sixth annual “Best 100 Communities for Music Education” survey will begin accepting online submissions on January 19, and will remain open through the first week of March. The survey, which people can complete online by visiting the American Music Conference (AMC) on the Web at www.amc-music.org, is open to anyone who wishes to enter information about his or her school district.

The second time was also a charm for the music products industry’s entry into the 116th Tournament of Roses Parade as NAMM, the International Music Products Association, and Sesame Workshop’s entry titled “Music Makes Us a Family” was honored with the Bob Hope Humor trophy for the most comical and amusing float.

The second time was also a charm for the music products industry’s entry into the 116th Tournament of Roses Parade as NAMM, the International Music Products Association, and Sesame Workshop’s entry titled “Music Makes Us a Family” was honored with the Bob Hope Humor trophy for the most comical and amusing float.

Each year, millions of people wish they could be on hand to experience the world-famous event that launches each New Year: the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. On New Year’s Day 2005, a resident from Royalton, Ohio, will be among those whose wish is fulfilled in style. Sheri Eleck-Hass, owner of Royalton Music Center, has won airfare and a four-night stay in Pasadena, the result of a random drawing by NAMM, the International Music Products Association.

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation is the first manufacturer to join the Music Education Coalition in the burgeoning effort to restore music education to grade school programs. Fender, through its education program, is signing on with the Coalition, an entity formed by NAMM, the International Music Products Association, and MENC, the National Association for Music Education. The musical instrument company is now an affiliate of SupportMusic.com, which provides information for the largest initiative ever in support of school music programs.

Dr. John Benham, a 30-year music education veteran and leading music advocate, has been tapped to write the music education web log—or “blog”—on the nation’s largest online music advocacy Web site, SupportMusic.com. Beginning December 1, Dr. Benham’s weekly “CounterPoint” commentary will offer an experienced insider’s insights on preserving music education, links to relevant sources and occasional feedback from other music advocates.

NAMM, the International Music Products Association, today announced two major changes to its popular NAMM University professional development sessions at the upcoming 2005 NAMM Show.

NAMM, the International Music Products Association, today announced a new agreement with the Midwest Music Summit, a premier showcase of unsigned talent held annually in Indianapolis, Ind. The new arrangement will fill the downtown and Broad Ripple areas with more than 250 music acts during the upcoming Summer Session trade show, which will be held in Indianapolis, July 22–24, 2005.

NAMM, the International Music Products Association, will participate for the second time in Pasadena’s famed annual Tournament of Roses Parade. The association’s 2005 float, themed “Music Makes Us A Family,” features Big Bird, Elmo, Oscar, Cookie Monster, Bert, Ernie, Zoe, Rosita and Honker from Sesame Street who will deliver the float’s joyful “families making music” theme. In addition, this will be one of the first interactive floats in Rose Parade history with a live drum circle in which everyone on the parade route can participate.

Continuing its leadership in supporting music making and education, NAMM, the International Music Products Association, recently partnered with The Creative Coalition (TCC), Americans for the Arts, and Music for All Foundation to bring music and arts education to the forefront of policy makers’ agendas.

NAMM, the International Music Products Association, today announced comprehensive staff changes after careful review of its mission, strategic objectives and goals. The reorganization is part of the association’s quest to continually improve service to its Members and the music products industry. Details of the reorganization include:

NAMM, the International Music Products Association, recently hosted the Fifth Global Economic Summit of the Music Products Industry, August 25–28, 2004, in Carlsbad, Calif. Every three years, NAMM hosts a group of key industry leaders, media and advisers, to explore emerging markets, reinforce global relationships and share different visions of the path to long-term, sustainable industry growth.