Yamaha NAMM Concert for Music Education Honoring Sir Elton John To Feature Performances by Ray Charles, Diana Krall, Norah Jones

Some of the world’s most popular performers will participate in The 2003 NAMM Concert Honoring Sir Elton John: A Benefit for Music Education, presented by Yamaha. The benefit will be held on January 17 at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, California.

In addition to Elton John, performers slated to appear include Vanessa Carlton, Ray Charles, Amy Grant, Bruce Hornsby, Norah Jones, Diana Krall, Michael McDonald, Rufus Wainwright, Nikka Costa, John Mayer, Jewel, Brian McKnight, Randy Newman, Take 6 and Brian Wilson*. Many other artists have expressed interest in participating, and additional announcements are expected soon. Sir Elton will receive Yamaha’s 2003 Lifetime Achievement in Musical Excellence Award as part of the evening’s festivities.

The tax-deductible tickets are available to NAMM Members via the association’s Web site, www.namm.com. The concert is not open to the public; only participants in the NAMM trade show and their guests will be able to attend.

Those who purchase tickets will also become honorary members of the American Music Conference (AMC), a national non-profit educational association dedicated to promoting the importance of music, music-making and music education to the general public.

AMC's goal is to build credibility for music and music education, especially at an early age, and to expand that portion of the population that enjoys and makes its own music.

Proceeds from the concert will go toward AMC and NAMM’s other music education charities: The International Foundation for Music Research and The Museum of Making Music.

“These organizations will help to establish enormous gains for music education and music research in the U.S.,” says Yamaha senior vice president Terry Lewis. “With their ticket purchase for this concert, NAMM show attendees will have an opportunity to support and encourage a bright future for the music products industry.”

“We fully expect to give NAMM members the show of a lifetime, while increasing support for music education at the same time,” stated NAMM President and CEO Joe Lamond. “The benefits of music making are well-documented, and this exceptional concert will draw attention to the importance of music as an integral part of everyone’s life.”

About Yamaha
Yamaha Corporation of America manufactures a complete line of musical instruments, professional audio products, customer-driven support products and computer-based products targeted to both the amateur and professional markets.

About AMC
The American Music Conference is dedicated to promoting the importance of music, music making, and music education to the general public. For more information about AMC and this new partnership, visit www.amc-mu sic.org

About The Museum of Making Music
The mission of the Museum of Making Music is to celebrate the rich history and encourage the future of music making. The one-of-a-kind museum invites all NAMM members to tour the Museum FREE of charge. Located in the NAMM Industry Headquarters in beautiful Carlsbad, Calif., the museum is a great way to experience first-hand the impact of the music products industry over the last 100 years. For more information about the museum or its activities, interested parties should call 877-551-9976 or visit www.museumofmakingmusic.org

About IFMR
The International Foundation for Music Research (IFMR) was founded in 1997 to support scientific research to explore the relationship between music and physical and emotional wellness, with particular attention to the elderly population, the impact of music making on at-risk youth, and music education and the effect of music and music making. IFMR also convenes scientists, educators and others around critical issues in music research and disseminates research through its publication, IFMR News, and various on-line research referral services and archives. For more information about IFMR, interested parties should visit www.music-research.org