NAMM Exhibits at AARP Orlando@50+ Exp

AARP members learn about the health benefits of Recreational Music Making as NAMM continues reaching out to people over 50. 

Once again, NAMM's participation in AARP's national conference, September 30 through Oct 2, proved to be a hit with attendees. The association sponsored a variety of music-making experiences, including the Wanna Play Music Lab, which provided RMM group-style music lessons for approximately 550 people on guitar, ukulele, piano, organ, percussion and harmonica. One hundred attendees a day were also treated to one-on-one lessons. Lesson participation in the Wanna Play Music Lab increased by 15 percent over last year.

With the help of Remo, NAMM hosted a daily drum circle. This year's drum circles were the largest-to-date, with between 250-300 people participating each day. And this year, NAMM proudly debuted the creation of the AARP Voices Choir. The choir of 40 attendees was assembled and rehearsed on-site, before opening for Whoopi Goldberg and Larry King in front of an audience of 6,000 conference attendees. The performance was extremely successful in illustrating the message that anyone can get involved in making music, regardless of talent or experience. 

NAMM Member participants included Roland, Remo, Hal Leonard, Yamaha, Lowrey, Piano Distributors, Panyard, Hohner, Fletcher's Music, Kala Ukulele, Daisy Rock Guitars, George's Music, Alfred Publishing, KMC Music and Making Music magazine.

In total, more than 25,000 people attented the Orlando, Fla., conference, all of them potential recreational music makers. Next year's AARP Conference will take place next September in Los Angeles.