The 2010 NAMM Show Features Successful ‘Music Education Days’ Event Hosted By the NAMM Foundation

While the 2010 NAMM Show drew thousands of music product retailers and dealers wanting to explore the latest trends and innovations from industry manufacturers, an event hosted by the NAMM Foundation called “Music Education Days” welcomed educators to attend the trade-only show and gain valuable insight about the best products that can be used specifically in school music education programs.

“Music Education Days” was created in 2007 as a special initiative to celebrate and inspire music educators in their important role as leaders and guides in learning music, and to encourage collaboration between educators, school administrators and music products professionals to address mutual concerns about access to music education for all children.

This year’s annual event at the NAMM Show saw a 40 percent increase in attendance over 2009 and the largest attendance since the program’s inception. In addition to a successful turnout, attendees had positive feedback about their overall experience, and were especially enthused about the opportunity to explore products up close.

A new program called “Best Tools for Schools,” developed by Symphony Publishing Group, was introduced this year and provided the opportunity to explore and identify music products and materials that provide innovative solutions and opportunities for music learning.

“The Best Tools For Schools program was enthusiastically embraced by the large number of music educators who participated in the selection of products and services recommended for classroom use,” said Sidney Davis, publisher at Symphony Publishing Group. “Educators and school administrators in attendance filled out specially designed ballots indicating their top choices in 13 different categories.  A panel of five educators presented the winners of the 2010 Best Tools For Schools during the NAMM show.”  

The top items will be shared with educators nationwide through MMR and SBO magazines. Retail buyers and distributors can find the tools listed at www.sbomagazine.com under the SBO Newsletter section.

One teacher commented that “having an opportunity to visit the show floor and talk to the vendors about their products was invaluable. We brought back a number of new ideas that will be very helpful to our program, which we otherwise would not have found.”

“As a music technology teacher, it was valuable to be able to demo so many new software and products in a central place,” said another attendee. “I have established several K-12 music technology programs and have purchased well over $500,000 [in products] over the last five years.”

Rich Breske, vice president of marketing at KHS America, said his company was pleased to be able to work with NAMM to provide music educators with a meaningful experience at the NAMM Show.

“Our hope was that we could make the event a little less overwhelming for educators by providing activities especially for them in our exhibit,” Breske said. “We look forward to the growth of this program and to the continued efforts of NAMM to support the music education market.”

According to Mary Luehrsen, executive director of the NAMM Foundation, the event opened up new possibilities for the music educators attending the event.

“The opportunity to meet with manufacturers of both traditional and innovative musical products inspires educators who are creating new hands-on musical learning experiences for their students,” Luehrsen said. “Music educators are vital partners in our shared goals that every child has the opportunity to learn and grow with music. We are working to continue to expand music educator participation at the NAMM Show.”  

About the NAMM Foundation
The NAMM Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to advancing active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs from the international music products industry. For more information, interested parties can visit www.nammfoundation.org