MENC and NAMM to Bring Educators, Students and Industry Together During 2004 National Conference

MENC, the National Association for Music Education, today announced plans to work with long-time partner NAMM, the International Music Products Association, to produce the exhibition portion of the organization’s 2004 National Conference. The “Music and Sound Expo” will be held April 16–18, 2004 in Minneapolis, Minn. The new partnership was created to serve the membership of both groups while further unifying educators, the music products industry and the music-making public.

The new Music and Sound Expo will increase exhibitor value by bringing all the magic and excitement of a NAMM show to music makers of all ages. MENC members and the general public will be invited to attend. Preliminary plans include adding special exclusive access times for educators to preview products, instructional clinics run by professional musicians and facilitators, as well as a high-profile, celebrity-driven concert to benefit music education.

“MENC has enjoyed a long and rewarding partnership with NAMM and the music products industry,” said Dr. Willie L. Hill Jr., president of MENC. “This new opportunity allows each organization to do what it does best—NAMM producing another world-class trade show and MENC managing the conference as only we can.”

“There is no doubt that when the industry and educators work together, everyone benefits,” said Steve West, chairman of NAMM. “And both groups are very enthusiastic about the possibilities of what we are going to create together in order to help music educators and the music products industry succeed.”

“The prospect of NAMM and MENC working together to benefit my company in new ways is music to my ears,” said Jim D’Addario, president of J. D’Addario & Company, Inc.

“Now more than ever Yamaha recognizes the need for the music products industry and the music educators to work together for our mutual benefit,” said Terry Lewis, senior vice president of Yamaha Corporation. “I applaud MENC and NAMM for taking these bold steps during challenging times to add even more value to this event.”

In July, the partners will launch a new Web site, www.musicandsoundexpo.com, with more details about the new show and exhibiting information. Interested parties with questions about the new Music and Sound Expo should contact NAMM at 760.438.8001. Questions about the 2004 National Conference should be directed to MENC at 800.336.3768.

About MENC
The National Association for Music Education (www.menc.org), the world’s largest arts education organization, is the only association that addresses all aspects of music education. Nearly 100,000 members represent all levels of teaching from pre-school to graduate school. Since 1907, MENC has worked to ensure that every student has access to a well-balanced, comprehensive and high-quality program of music instruction taught by qualified teachers. MENC’s activities and resources have been largely responsible for the establishment of music education as a profession, for the promotion and guidance of music study as an integral part of the school curriculum, and for the development of the National Standards for Arts Education. For more information about MENC, visit www.menc.org or call 800.336.3768.