NAMM and Sesame Workshop to Celebrate a World of Making Music with 2008 Rose Parade Float

NAMM, the trade association of the international music products industry, today announced it has once again teamed with Sesame Workshop to produce its float entry in the 119th Tournament of Roses Parade.

This year’s float will feature an international family of Sesame Street characters showcasing music as the ultimate expression of celebration for all cultures and representing the importance of making music as part of a complete education for all children. Sesame Street has been a long-time advocate for integrating music into its program to help children viewers learn and grow.

The 2008 Rose Parade, featuring the theme “Passport to the World’s Celebrations,” will take place New Year's Day on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2008, with millions of people around the world expected to watch.

The NAMM float is themed “Passport to the World of Making Music,” and will feature Sesame Street celebrity Bob McGrath, an original cast member of Sesame Street who plays the music teacher on the show. McGrath is an accomplished singer with seven children’s albums to his credit. He also co-authored an educational music curriculum book for Alfred Publishing Co., Music For Fun, used by teachers from kindergarten to second grade. His Rhythm Band Set, produced by Rhythm Band Instruments, is a Parent’s Choice Award winner.

Two other residents of the “street” making music at the front of the float with McGrath will be Olamide Faison who plays Miles, and walkaround Rosita who loves to play music and sing in both English and Spanish.

United under the traditional “Sesame Street” lamp post toward the back of the float are an international cast of Sesame Street characters representing many countries, including Elmo strumming a banjo; The Count, who like many musicians is also good at math; Halum from Bangladesh who enjoys playing the drum and laughing; Lola from Mexico, who is 4 years old and loves rhymes, songs and surprises; and Googly from India, who loves science and music.

All the characters will be playing their instruments along to Sesame Street songs from around the world. The characters in the rear will stand on top of an elevated colorful globe surrounded by a rainbow and musical notes, representing how music helps people and children of the world celebrate their diversity and unity.

The float will once again be designed by Studio Concepts, Inc., of Portland, Ore., and incorporates flowers such as light and dark dendrobium orchids, yellow roses, and carnation petals for Elmo’s fur, and even such edibles as peanuts, almonds, dried fruit, diced carrot and onion seed.

An interactive drum circle will be onboard, which has become a signature element of each year’s NAMM float, reminding onlookers that everyone can make music. This year’s drum circle will invite parade viewers to jam along with Sesame Street songs.

“Research has proven that children’s social, verbal, reading and math skills are significantly improved by being involved in making music,” said Joe Lamond, president and CEO, NAMM. “NAMM’s float is designed to send the message that making music is an important component to every child’s overall growth and development, and is equally important for people of all ages and cultures as a wonderful form of expression and creativity.”

2008 will be NAMM’s fifth year as a float sponsor in the Tournament of Roses parade. In 2007, NAMM’s “Natural Harmonies: Oh Say Can You Sing,” won the Craftsman trophy for Exceptional Showmanship and Dramatic Impact for a float more than 55 feet long. In addition, NAMM’s 2006 float “Making Music is Magical,” designed with Disney’s Little Einstein characters, won the prestigious Grand Marshal’s trophy for excellence in creative concept and design; NAMM’s 2005 float with Sesame Workshop, “Music Makes Us a Family,” won the Bob Hope Humor trophy as the most comical and amusing float in the parade; and NAMM’s first-time entry in 2004 in partnership with Sesame Workshop won the Isabella Coleman Award for Color and Color Harmony through Floral Use.

About Sesame Workshop
Sesame Workshop is a nonprofit educational organization making a meaningful difference in the lives of children worldwide. The Workshop launched a learning revolution when it created Sesame Street, and continues to break new ground with children’s media that’s as engaging as it is educational.