The NAMM Foundation Celebrates SupportMusic's 10th Anniversary

Marking 10 years of advocacy for music education, the NAMM Foundation’s SupportMusic Coalition will gather at a celebration event and live webcast from NAMM Show 2013 on Friday, January 25. The event features performances and special-guest appearances. All music education supporters are encouraged to attend SupportMusic’s 10th Anniversary event to be held at 2 p.m. in the NAMM Foundation Lounge located in the Anaheim Hilton’s California Ballroom. Joe Lamond, NAMM president and CEO will serve as guest moderator.

Come early for music by Latin-GRAMMY–nominated jazz guitarist, music education advocate and former N.Y. Yankee Bernie Williams. Take6, the most-awarded a cappella vocal group in history, will make a special guest appearance. Take6, also performed at the launch of SupportMusic from the National Press Club in Washington DC in 2003, and returns to celebrate music education. 

According to Mary Luehrsen, NAMM director of public affairs and government relations, who has guided the development of the Coalition since its creation, the webinar marks the beginning of a new decade filled with renewed purpose and passion. “This live event is not to be missed – either in person at the NAMM Show, or via live webcast,” Luehrsen said. “It is a celebration of 10 years of advocacy effort, but most importantly, propels us into the next 10!”

SupportMusic was formed in 2003 by NAMM in collaboration with the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). A public service initiative that educates and supports grassroots advocacy for music education in local communities around the United States and abroad, SupportMusic unites 340 national, regional and international organizations comprised of parents and community leaders seeking to improve access and opportunity in music and arts learning. Tens of thousands of concerned citizens visit the website every month and use its resources to keep music education strong in their schools and communities.

The Coalition’s website, SupportMusic.com, offers resources, research information and tools, including bilingual advocacy materials and PowerPoint documents that can be used for presentations and monthly updates on best practices in community advocacy for music education. Over the years, music education supporters and advocates, including NAMM members, parents, school administrators and music teachers, have turned to SupportMusic.com for policy updates and resources to keep music education strong in their communities.

“For the last decade, the SupportMusic Coalition has promoted a proactive, positive approach to celebrating music education, and local support for music education is growing,” Luehrsen said. “The community of advocates in the Coalition inform and support each other; it is a network that cares deeply about children and education and the vital role that music plays in a complete education for all children.  Our 10th anniversary celebrates the contributions of so many – and revs us up for the next decade of advocacy.”

In addition to a performance by the legendary a cappella group Take6, Governor Mike Huckabee will be on hand to participate in the 10th Anniversary Celebration as well as many of SupportMusic’s founders. John Mahlmann, former executive director of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), Michael Butera, executive director of NAfME, Steve West of West Music and former Chairman of NAMM, and Mike Blakeslee, COO of NAfME are among special guests and music education advocates participating in the event the NAMM Foundation Lounge.

Can’t attend the celebration in person? The event will be webcast here.

The NAMM Show is an industry-only event that runs January 24-27 at the Anaheim Convention Center.

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The SupportMusic Coalition is building a proactive and unified approach to federal, state and local level advocacy for music education as a core academic subject in schools. The coalition is united in its support of a complete education that includes music and arts instruction for all children.

The NAMM Foundation
 is a nonprofit organization with the mission of 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 about the NAMM Foundation, please visit www.nammfoundation.org.