The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation is seeking the top school districts and schools with an exemplary commitment to music education curriculum to be recognized as part of the Foundation’s Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) program. Now in its 19th year, the Best Communities for Music Education (district level) and the SupportMusic Merit Award (school level) offers national recognition and visibility for school music programs, and honors the efforts of educators, administrators, students and community music education champions who share in the common goal to ensure access to music for all students in the classroom.

“A commitment to music education signifies that school and community leaders believe in the potential of all their students and are working to assure access to a well-rounded curriculum that includes music,” shared Mary Luehrsen, Executive Director of The NAMM Foundation. “The Best Communities for Music Education program affirms and applauds the dedication of districts, schools, parents and the surrounding community for providing music education as part of the school day and taught by highly-qualified teachers.”

For the past 19 years, the awards program has served as a catalyst to rally and expand music education programs, as well as to gain additional community support and funding. “The Best Communities for Music Education, won five years in a row by the Bakersfield City School District, has provided pride and enthusiasm in our community,” shared Michael Stone, coordinator of the visual and performing arts department at the Bakersfield City School District. “Since the first recognition, the District has implemented four vocal music specialist teacher positions and one additional instrumental music specialist teacher position to serve our student population. The BCME Award was definitely a shot in the arm for our Governing Board, Superintendent and the music faculty.”

Brett Farr, director of fine arts at Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD in Carrollton, Texas, a ten-time BCME winner, echoed that sentiment: “This past year our program expanded with an additional Fine Arts teaching unit, as well as a budgetary increase which will allow us to grow our programs. The BCME award gives us the acknowledgment and a foundation to continue to build support for our programs.”

“Such a designation shows that our board of education, administration and community supports the quality, sequential music education Longwood provides,” affirmed Dr. John Gallagher of Longwood Central School District in Middle Island, New York, a district which counts nine BCME awards. “It keeps Longwood's music and performing arts in the forefront of our educational system and shows that we are recognized on a national level for what we do.”

Another nine-time awardee, Michelle Hiscavich, of Newton School District in Newton Connecticut, shared that the implications of the award are widespread, and for many music students, the recognition of the quality of the program is long lasting: “This award helps us to maintain program, staffing, and funding in a climate of declining enrollment and state budget woes. The award was also instrumental in working with the Board of Education and the community to take on a major high school auditorium renovation project, where future student performances will take place. Our students continue to pursue music degrees because of the training and interests they have developed as a result of our district's music program.”

The SupportMusic Merit Award is another powerful tool for individual schools, garnering enthusiasm from students and administrators alike, as well as helping students to realize their full potential. At Smith River School, in Smith River, California, a school which has been recognized for four years with the SMMA, music educator Marshall Jones says that the award has inspired the entire student body, and has kept funding in the program: “This award has set a precedent that all students in all grades are inspiring music students, working towards the day that they can be a member of the band,” commented Jones. “Each year the topic of funding comes up and this designation gives a strong message that every penny invested in music programs comes back a hundred times over. Students are engaged, motivated, and have a growth mindset that they can and will achieve success.”

The national recognition program opens on the heels of new brain health research from Northwestern University neuroscientist Dr. Nina Kraus, which builds on previous findings that participation in music education programs helps improve brain function, discipline and language development. “We learn best when attention and memory are engaged, when we are motivated and we care about what we are learning, and when our motor systems are involved,” Kraus affirms. “This is well illustrated by the fact that playing rather than listening to music has a deep impact on reorganizing and strengthening the nervous system.”

The designations are awarded based on a school or district submitted survey process, and evaluated on funding, staffing of qualified teachers, standards, curriculum, community support, participation, facilities and other factors which affect access and demonstrate commitment to music education. The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas reviews the survey data and offers the designation to districts or schools which meet the criteria and qualifications for designation.

In 2017, over 2,000 schools and school districts submitted a survey for evaluation. Based on survey responses, 527 school districts were recognized with the Best Communities for Music Education, and 92 schools with the SupportMusic Merit Award. Past districts named a BCME included urban, suburban and rural districts. Schools which have received the SMMA designation included both public and private schools and range from elementary to middle and high schools.

District officials, music educators and school staff in the domestic United States are invited to complete this survey by January 31, 2018 by visiting https://www.nammfoundation.org/bcme.

In conducting the annual survey, The NAMM Foundation is joined by advisory organizations in the fields of music and education: Americans for the Arts; League of American Orchestras; John Lennon Educational Tour Bus; Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation; Music for All; Music Teachers National Association; National Guild For Community Arts Education; Yamaha Corporation of America; Young Audiences; and VH1 Save The Music Foundation.

The inaugural AES@NAMM Pro Sound Symposium: Live & Studio is a unique education and training program from the Audio Engineering Society targeted at working professionals in the live sound, recording and performance-audio communities. The four-day international symposium, which will be held concurrently with the 2018 NAMM Show from January 25-28 in Anaheim, CA, comprises a series of Training Academies and related sessions on line-array technologies, live-sound mixing consoles, wireless systems and studio environments, in addition to tutorials on system measurement and optimization, plus a selection of technical papers in related fields. These must-attend classes will be held within the Anaheim Hilton Hotel’s NAMM Education Campus, adjacent to a brand-new pro-audio exhibit space.

“AES@NAMM will offer an exclusive opportunity for audio professionals to attend interactive classes taught by expert presenters,” states AES President-elect David Scheirman, a veteran sound-reinforcement industry professional. “Our instructors and trainers will offer a comprehensive range of sessions to match the constantly-evolving informational needs of career veterans and aspiring audio practitioners alike. AES@NAMM is being held at the right place - with top audio brands on display in the Convention Center - and at a time when both the TEC Awards and the Parnelli Awards are being staged together, thereby drawing an entire community of studio-production and sound-reinforcement specialists to Anaheim.”

The AES@NAMM program comprises a number of interrelated training sessions conducted by manufacturers of Line Array Loudspeaker Systems, Live Sound Consoles, Studio Digital Audio Workstations and Entertainment Wireless Technologies, in addition to Sound System Measurement & Optimization and Studio & Recording Technology.

As with all Technical Sessions at traditional Audio Engineering Society events, AES@NAMM is a fee-based symposium with limited seating secured through advance registration, open to all show attendees with a NAMM Badge. Attendees can purchase half-day or whole-day admission, with registration opening soon. Academy trainees will receive a Certificate of Attendance to confirm their participation in educational sessions.

Mark Frink, the symposium’s Director, Programming & Content states: “Our program has been carefully developed to anticipate the learning expectations of working professionals that want to bring themselves up to speed with what is happening in these critical technology areas, and learn more about how to use high-tech systems in their day-to-day activities. Everybody needs a refresher course from time to time; AES@NAMM will focus on offering no-nonsense tuition on a range of key topics.”

Renowned author and recording engineer Bobby Owsinski heads up the Studio & Recording Technology Session Series, while John Murray is coordinating the Measurement and System Optimization sessions.

The Line Array Loudspeaker System Academy will focus on the key operational features and deployment of contemporary line-source arrays, while The Live Sound Console Academy comprises day-long, hands-on sessions on control-surface orientation, with an exploration of each console’s features and use. The Studios: DAW Academy will focus on using the key components of a recording or production studio to achieve professional results with on-site live musicians, including digital audio workstations, microphones and monitor loudspeakers. The Entertainment Wireless Technology sessions will explore how to set up and use RF systems within a shrinking UHF spectrum environment. The Measurement and System Optimization sessions will spotlight current techniques for testing and fully optimizing system performance.

NAMM Education Campus

AES@NAMM’s Education Campus comprises multiple rooms on the fourth floor of the Anaheim Hilton that face the Grand Plaza. Symposium sessions will run 9:00 am to 5:00 pm from Thursday, January 25 through Sunday, January 28, with the last day ending at 4:00 pm.

The program also includes AES Technical Papers and Workshops, as well as special Spanish and Mandarin daily sessions.

For NAMM members seeking a jumpstart to retail success in 2018, The NAMM Show returns with the perennial favorite: Retail Boot Camp. On Wednesday, January 24, before the Show officially opens, retail business owners, managers, sales personnel, marketers and accountants can rev up their retail and financial know-how through two tracks: Sales, Marketing and Website; or Financial Management. Each track is designed to impart practical, easy-to-implement ideas and business strategies designed to impact the bottom line. Presenters include New York Times best-selling author and customer service expert Shep Hyken; digital marketing pioneer Larry Bailin; and financial experts Alan Friedman and Daniel Jobe of Friedman, Kannenberg & Co.

Retail Boot Camp will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 24 and include a NAMM-sponsored lunch. NAMM members interested in attending Retail Boot Camp are required to RSVP, as seating is limited. RSVP now here: https://www.namm.org/thenammshow/2018/educational-sessions/nammu/retail-boot-camp

Additional Retail Boot Camp details will be provided upon registration.

Sales, Marketing and Website Track

Create an Amazing Customer Experience—Right Away

Point blank, customer service sets you apart from other music retail businesses. It’s one thing to get a customer in the door or onto your website, but it’s another to get them coming back again and again. Not to mention your customers are expecting more from you than ever before, with other world-class retailers setting a high bar. Join Shep Hyken, customer service and experience expert, New York Times best-selling author and award-winning speaker, for a fast-paced, entertaining and information-packed Retail Boot Camp training session. He’ll share what you and your team can do right away to deliver an experience that will amaze your customers every time.

Online Marketing That Gets Results

In the first part of a two-part presentation, Larry Bailin will offer a masterclass in online marketing for 2018, and beyond. He won’t cover everything that can be known—just everything you need to know to achieve success. Bailin, an internet marketing pioneer, will reveal the platforms that matter most, the media to buy, what to say, what to do and how to turn buyers into lifelong customers. He’ll also look at what technologies are on the rise and why. Websites, mobile, Google, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat—find out what efforts bring you the most loyal customers, and how to make the most of the ones that matter.

Make Your Website Work for You

Your website can be your greatest asset or your worst nightmare. Does your website persuade or dissuade potential and existing customers? Here, Larry Bailin will take you on a live and unscripted journey of what works with retail websites and what sends you down the digital rabbit hole. He’ll call up real-world industry examples to show you what to do and, even more importantly, what not to do when trying to attract and sell to buyers online. Whether you sell products or services (e.g., lessons or repairs), you’ll discover how to avoid obstacles that get in the way of connection and commerce.

Financial Management Track

Celebrating its fourth year at Retail Boot Camp, the financial management track gets a big update for 2018. This year, NAMM members will get training on the two most critical hot topics facing every music retail business today: the always-challenging purchasing and management of inventory and the transition of a music store. This Retail Boot Camp “best-of experience” will be presented by longstanding financial experts Alan Friedman and Daniel Jobe of Friedman, Kannenberg & Co. And they’ll deliver vital financial education using their always-entertaining “Tommy Gunn Music Store” saga.

Inventory Management: Morning Program

The morning’s training will focus on proven best practices in the purchasing and management of music retail inventory. Discover how to buy the right mix and quantity of musical products and gear.

Business Succession: Afternoon Program

The afternoon training will feature a deep dive into business succession, presented for the first time. It will cover: the pros and cons of various store transition options; the effect each option has on cash, control and taxes; what does and doesn’t add value to your store; calculating the dollar amount of what your business is likely worth; vital tips for starting the succession-planning process; and five case studies

The 2018 NAMM Show returns to Anaheim, California, January 25-28, 2018. As the crossroads of the music, pro sound and event tech industry, The 2018 NAMM Show will offer nearly 7,000 brands on display, over 500 educational sessions, a variety of networking opportunities and a multitude of events each night of the show. NAMM members can secure their badges today by visiting https://www.namm.org/thenammshow/2018/attend

The NAMM Foundation has announced that the organization will benefit 24 different music education programs with $675,000 in grants, an increase made possible by NAMM Foundation donors. The beneficiaries, located both domestically and abroad, provide access and instruction to a variety of different communities and demographics. While unique in instrumentation and location, each organization’s mission underscores the Foundation’s commitment to creating and supporting access to quality music education programs to inspire a life-long love of music making.

“From France to Brazil, to Canada and Great Britain and beyond, the recipients of our grants are working to create access and opportunities for all people to experience the joy of making music,” stated Mary Luehrsen, Executive Director of The NAMM Foundation. “It is through the transformative work of nonprofit music service organizations that thousands of people will discover their own musical talents.”

Since its inception in 1994, The NAMM Foundation’s annual grant program has donated more than $16 million in support to domestic and international music education programs, scientific research, advocacy and public service programs related to music making. The grants are funded in part by donations from the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) and its 10,300 member companies worldwide.

“We are grateful to the many new and existing donors who have so generously benefitted the NAMM Foundation this past year,” continued Luehrsen. “Their generosity has helped the Foundation expand its grant making efforts to benefit numerous opportunities for people of all ages to experience the joys and benefits of making music.”

The 2017 beneficiaries of The NAMM Foundation grants are as follows:

Anafima Associação Nacional dos Fabricantes de Instrumentos Musicais e Audio LTda (ANAFIMA)

The Brazilian Musical Instruments and Audio Industry Association is led by a mission of creating more musicians. The charity was formed by the ANAFIMA to channel resources directly into creating more music makers. The NAMM Foundation funding will support its efforts to expand National Play Day in 2018 offering free lessons through a network of music stores and companies. A grant will also support promotional efforts through an expanded website and PR outreach to promote the benefits of making music and National Play Day events and music learning opportunities.

Australian Music Association

The Australian Music Association is the trade body for the music products industry, representing wholesalers, manufacturers, retailers and associated services for musical instruments, pro audio, print music, lighting and computer music products. The NAMM Foundation funding supports the expansion of AMA’s commitment to Recreational Music Making and the organization’s Young Warriors program. This outreach and youth development effort is organized in collaboration with regional mental health professionals and youth workers who operate rock bands and hands-on music technology learning in store fronts and community centers. Funding will also support the 2018 Make Music Day Australia.

Coalition for Music Education in Canada

The Coalition for Music Education in Canada (CMEC)’s mission is to raise the awareness and understanding of the role that music education plays in Canadian culture, and to promote the benefits that music education brings to young people. The NAMM Foundation funding supports the expansion of its Music Monday program, a public awareness initiative that engages thousands of music makers and the media in the opportunity to celebrate music making's vital role in school and in life. The program has engaged national media, politicians and artists in promoting the importance of music education for all children in Canada. CMEC will also continue to advance its Youth4Music program engaging young people in their communities creating a network of youth promoting the benefits and importance of music education.

Dallas Wind Symphony

The Dallas Wind Symphony’s mission is to bring extraordinary musicians and enthusiastic audiences together to celebrate the performance, promotion, and preservation of the music and traditions of the American wind band through concerts, recordings, broadcasts, music education programs, commissions, and projects that nurture the professional development of musicians, composers, and conductors. The NAMM Foundation funding will support their School Band Education Enrichment for all Dallas Independent School District fifth grade students as an introduction to band. Funding also supports the Dallas Wind Symphony summer band camp that provides at-risk and underserved students from the Dallas Independent School District the chance to attend a unique summer band camp presented by the professional musicians of this world-class wind ensemble.

EngAge, Inc.

The EngAge mission is to empower people- intellectually, creatively and emotionally- to do what they do best for the rest of their lives. EngAGE is a national service program that is an outgrowth of NAMM-funded research on the impact of rigorous music and art making on the health and wellbeing of seniors. A first-ever NAMM Foundation grant will support “EngAGE in Music,” an expansion of ongoing EngAGE in Creativity programs, that transforms senior apartment communities into vibrant centers for teaching and learning, artistic exploration, creativity and engagement. Funding support for EngAGE in Music will offer a variety of music programs (taiko drumming, ukulele, choir and other ensemble music opportunities) for low-income seniors residing in Common Bond communities in Minneapolis, MN through a collaboration with the MacPhail Center for Music.

Guitars and Accessories Marketing Association

The Guitar and Accessories Marketing Association (GAMA) is a trade association comprising guitar products manufacturers and distributors with a mission to bring together and grow the guitar community by promoting greater access to learning and playing guitar. The NAMM Foundation funding supports the training of 250-300 school music educators in the coming year through workshops that occur across the country and provides tools to start school-based guitar programs. Through the grant, this long-running program has substantially influenced what is offered in music education curriculum programs in the U.S. today.

Guitars in the Classroom

Guitars in the Classroom (GITC) trains and equips classroom teachers to integrate singing and playing guitar into children’s daily school experiences. By providing instruction, access to instruments, resource materials, and program supervision, GITC empowers educators to transform classrooms into musical environments that bring out the best in all students by engaging them in studies across the curriculum. The NAMM Foundation funding will support the “Triangle Training Approach” – workshops and teacher training to support teachers as they integrate guitar and ukulele into the elementary curriculum.

John Lennon Educational Tour Bus

The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus is a non-profit 501(c)(3) state-of-the-art mobile audio and HD video recording and production facility. The NAMM Foundation funding supports a school and community residency in school year 2017-18 featuring student workshops on The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus, a mobile recording studio that provides hands-on training in music technology. As part of the residency, The NAMM Foundation hosts a community-wide, town hall style SupportMusic Community Forum as a national webcast that celebrates the community’s commitment and support for music education for all students. A school district/community is selected based on a submission to a “What Makes Music Education Great in My District” video contest that is held each fall.

Little Kids Rock

The mission of Little Kids Rock is to restore and revitalize music education in U.S. public schools. It provides free musical instruments and music instruction to underserved schools across the country. The NAMM Foundation funding supports Little Kids Rocks’ Modern Band Rockfest 2017, its 5th annual national teacher training conference. This week-long teacher training event guides teachers and administrators in methods to develop “modern band” programs – guitar, drums, keyboard – as part of school music education offerings.

The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation

The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation (MHOF) expands and boosts music education in schools by providing durable, high-quality musical instruments to deserving, under-funded music programs nationwide. MHOF also helps schools advance best practices to ensure the longevity of these vital programs. The NAMM Foundation funds will assist MHOF in selecting and providing new instruments to supply two school music programs.

Music For All

Music For All/UK is the charity attached to the UK musical instrument industry. The organization serves to make more musicians. The charity will use The NAMM Foundation grant to align its Learn to Play Day in 2017 with the global Make Music Day UK music events and to expand the reach and ambition of the project. The Learn to Play Day annual event enables the public to have free lessons at UK music retail stores. The goal is to expand Learn to Play Day to a week-long event that culminates in UK-wide Make Music Day being developed with partners that include the BBC, musicians’ union and others. As part of an expanding NAMM-member-led network, Music for All will also share its community event resources with MI organizations in Brazil, Spain and Germany.

Musical Futures Australia

Musical Futures, a program created in the UK and with NAMM support, will offer training to teachers in schools. The program is designed to extend the reach of music education into the local school systems across Asia using the Musical Futures approach to teaching and learning. A grant supports the project’s immediate goals to increase access to music making through: the development of a network of schools and highly skilled teachers who can facilitate and lead music education in their local cities and communities; creating an infrastructure and means to transfer the skills and approach to local teachers and school systems; broaden the base of music making opportunities to include recreational/community music making for young students; and address the barriers and impediments that restrict access to music making across school systems.

National Piano Foundation

The mission of the National Piano Foundation is to develop educational programs, activities and materials which educate the general public, parents and students about the value, benefit and enjoyment of playing the piano; contribute to the professional well-being of the teaching community; support the music study success of piano users; and promote the productive interaction and cooperation of all segments of the music industry. The NAMM Foundation funds will support the continuance of the National Piano Foundation’s (NPF) training for piano teachers in collaboration with Music Teachers National Association (MTNA). The grant also supports a new program, Keyboards in the Classroom, and the development and piloting of a new classroom curriculum and teacher training modeled after a high-impact program in a Texas public school. This “teaching the teacher” program seeks to reach thousands of more students through group keyboard lessons and compel piano and piano lab purchases as part of music education infrastructure needs in public schools.

National String Project Consortium

The National String Project Consortium (NSPC) is a coalition of String Project sites based at colleges and universities across the United States. The NSPC is dedicated to increasing the number of children playing stringed instruments, and addressing the critical shortage of string teachers in the United States. The NAMM Foundation funding support will provide teacher training for string music educators and offer training to teach strings in inner-city and under-served communities. Funding will support the emerging programs of four existing sites at Pacific University, Kennesaw State University, Southern Mississippi University, and University of Texas at El Paso, as well as a new site at Tennessee Tech University.

Notes for Change, Inc.

Notes for Change, Inc. seeks to empower students through the experience of musical study and increasing access to music education. The organization's goals are to promote life skills and community through musical training, and advocate for music education. The NAMM Foundation funding will expand the Ensemble Newsletter readership by distributing in formats that provide access through all means across the global Sistema. Support will also raise awareness through a social media campaign.

Orchestre a' L'Ecole

Orchestre A L’Ecole, a non-profit music trade association in France, aims to develop the musical abilities of young people in schools in disadvantaged areas. The NAMM Foundation funding will support the continued expansion and provide instruments for students regardless of the personal financial resources of schools and students. As of September 2016, this program of youth orchestra development in France has increased to include 1,200 orchestras throughout the country and hosts national and regional festivals.

Percussion Marketing Council

The Percussion Marketing Council’s mission is to provide professional marketing and advertising campaigns, programs and activities that bring increased public awareness to drumming, thus increasing the number of people playing all types of drums. The NAMM Foundation funding supports four key PMC program areas: Drum Set in the Classroom (DSC) that offers in-school drum set workshops with a goal to create more drummers and familiarity with drum set music making; expansion of Percussion in the Schools (PIS) to include more in-school events and cultivate more professional facilitators; Drums Across America based on PMC’s successful drum lesson lab tent at select Vans Warped Tour in the summer and increase the lesson lab activities in school and community settings; and International Drum Month, an annual promotion and percussion celebration effort.

Percussive Arts Society

Percussive Arts Society (PAS) is a non-profit, music service organization. Its mission is to promote percussion education, research, performance and appreciation throughout the world. The NAMM Foundation funding supports its expansion of the Indianapolis-based Find Your Rhythm! Community Outreach program. The grant will continue its work with Indianapolis-area school districts via tours and hands-on programs at Rhythm! Discovery Center that also serve the general public with exposure to music education and percussion in its Saturday programs.

San Diego Youth Symphony

The San Diego Youth Symphony (SDYS) and Conservatory instills excellence in the musical and personal development of students through rigorous and inspiring musical-training experiences. The NAMM Foundation funding supports SDYS Community Opus after-school programs in Chula Vista, CA (CVESD). As the district builds its district-wide music education program, the Opus after-school program fill a gap of access for students who do not yet have in-school music and students who want a more advanced music ensemble experience. The NAMM Foundation support for the SDYS Community Opus in Chula Vista has been a catalyst for the re-instatement of music education in the district including the hiring of over 70 fulltime certified music and arts educators.

SongwritingWith: Soldiers

SongwritingWith: Soldiers (SW:S)’s mission is to transform lives by using collaborative songwriting to expand creativity, connections and strengths. Soldiers (SW:S) connects veterans with professional songwriters in retreat and workshop settings to craft songs about combat, the transition home and address issues of PTSD, connectedness and social isolation that can occur after military service. The program serves all branches of the military populations. Retreats are free to participants and their family/caregiver. The NAMM Foundation will support two SongwritingWith: Soldiers retreats.

The Sphinx Organization, Inc.

Founded in 1996, the Sphinx Organization is a Detroit-based national performing arts organization dedicated to transforming lives through the power of diversity in the arts. The NAMM Foundation funding will support the organization’s summer academy that provides music education and a pathway to exemplary achievement in classical music for Black and Latino student musicians.

Technology Institute for Music Educators (TI:ME)

The Technology Institute for Music Educators (TI:ME) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to assist music educators in applying technology to improve teaching and learning in music. The NAMM Foundation grant will support the TI:ME Technology Leadership Academy for pre-service music education teachers. Selected through a competitive, national application process, 20 participants who are in the final years of preparation to be music teachers, will attend the academy to be held in conjunction with the TI:ME National Conference and learn various methods for using music technology as part of standards-based music education curriculum.

VH1 Save the Music Foundation

VH1 Save the Music Foundation develops long-term, sustainable instrumental music programs in high-need public schools. In 2014, they created the KEYS + Kids Piano Grant Program to respond to the demand for high-quality piano packages for music, drama and community programs in K-12 schools. The NAMM Foundation funding will provide two targeted KEYS + Kids grants to qualifying schools in the 2017-18 school year.

Young Audiences Arts for Learning

A grant to Young Audiences (YA), a national non-profit that connects educators to community music and arts education resources, continues a collaboration with The NAMM Foundation to strengthen the capacities of music service organizations. YA will organize a series of forums and roundtables at The NAMM Show 2018 along with online resources to strengthen music making service organizations around issues of non-profit management including board governance, fund raising, promotion and program evaluation and implementation that includes alignment with national fine arts standards.

About The NAMM Foundation

The NAMM Foundation is a non-profit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its 10,300 members around the world. The NAMM Foundation works to advance active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs. For more information about The NAMM Foundation, please visit http://www.nammfoundation.org

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Echoing the long-term stability of the 117-year-old organization, the NAMM Board of Directors unanimously voted in the next slate of officers earlier today at Summer NAMM in Nashville. At the meeting, the board officially welcomed each industry leader to new roles, representing a balanced composition of retail and commercial members. The 2017 Executive Committee includes Chair Robin Walenta, Vice-Chair Chris Martin IV, Treasurer Joel Menchy and Secretary Tom Sumner.

The vote and seamless transition sees Robin Walenta, previously NAMM’s Vice Chair, move into the new role as Chair of NAMM’s Board of Directors. Walenta is President and CEO of West Music Co., a family-owned, seven-store, full-line retailer based in Coralville, Iowa founded in 1914 by Pearl West. Walenta joined West Music in 1982 and was named President and CEO of the company in 2007. In addition to the NAMM Board of Directors, Walenta is currently a board member of the National Association of School Music Dealers; a treasurer for the Iowa Alliance for Art Education; a member of the SupportMusic Coalition and offers a wealth of industry, advocacy and arts experience to the committee. Walenta is the first female chair in the history of the organization.

“I am truly honored to represent our membership as Chair and to serve our industry. As both a commercial and retail member, I look forward to sharing my perspective to address the challenges that we face today and to prepare our industry for the opportunities of the future,” said Walenta. “Through my career-long involvement with NAMM, I have learned that networking builds beneficial and productive communities; that educational opportunities provide vital catalysts for new and ongoing musical ventures; and that in today’s world, music advocacy is more important than ever. I am excited to be at the forefront of continuing diversification and broadening inclusivity in both our members and the products and services we represent.”

As part of her first official duties, Walenta welcomed Tom Sumner to the Executive Committee as Secretary. Sumner is past member of the Board of Directors and currently Senior Vice President of Yamaha Corporation of America, a full-line manufacturer of musical products and instruments based in Buena Park, California. Sumner joined the company in 1987, and is a member of the National Piano Foundation; the National Association of School Music Dealers; the Music Distributors Association; and the SupportMusic Coalition.

Of the appointment, Walenta affirmed the board’s enthusiam: “We are excited to welcome Tom to the NAMM Executive Committee. Through his leadership role at Yamaha, Tom brings to the board important skills and knowledge that will support and augment the broad spectrum of the music industry. As a recent NAMM Board member, Tom offers valuable insights into NAMM’s mission and objectives.”

Sumner echoed the sentiments, “It’s truly an honor to be elected to the NAMM Executive Committee, and I look forward to continuing to grow and serve the industry.”

Outgoing Chair Mark Goff was honored during the meeting and applauded for his eight-years of service on the Executive Committee. Reflecting, Goff offered, “It has been an incredible honor to represent my fellow NAMM members as Chair over the past two years. During my tenure,I have been privileged to see our association at work across the globe and I’m extremely proud of the positive impact we are making as we help more people make more music every day.”

Further building upon the stability of the organization, Executive Committee members Joel Menchey and Chris Martin will transition to their new roles. Menchey is is the President and owner of Menchey Music Service, a seven-location school service and keyboard music dealer headquartered in Hanover, Pennsylvania and will serve as Secretary of the Executive Committee. Chris Martin is the sixth generation owner and CEO of C.F. Martin & Co., Inc., a manufacturer of acoustic guitars and strings, based in Nazareth, Pennsylvania and now, Vice Chair of the NAMM Executive Committee.

In other NAMM board-related news, the NAMM Young Professionals welcomed Mark Despostakis of Pennsylvania-based Progressive Music as President. Despotakis succeeds Ryan West of West Music Co.