May 3-7: ‘National Wanna Play Music Week’ Celebrated in North America, Encouraging All Ages to Experience the Enjoyment of Music

National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) kicks off the fourth annual “National Wanna Play Music Week” today, with nationwide music-making activities continuing through May 7. Designed to educate the public on the proven benefits of playing music, National Wanna Play Music Week aims to promote the many scientifically-proven benefits of making music and to encourage people of all ages to pick-up any type of instrument and learn how to play.

The week-long national celebration is part of the NAMM Wanna Play? public awareness campaign, which recognizes the vital role which music and music education play in people’s lives, and how recreational music making can directly impact the health and social well being of people in all stages of life.

"According to the latest Gallup Poll, more than 85 percent of people who don’t currently play a musical instrument wish they did," said Joe Lamond, president and CEO of NAMM. "It’s never too late or to too early to learn how to play a musical instrument – what better time than National Wanna Play Music Week to finally give it a try.”

The year’s National Wanna Play Music Week's scheduled activities include:

Monday, May 3, 2010 – “Music Monday” – NAMM has joined the Coalition of Music Education in Canada in its sixth annual Music Monday event, to demonstrate the importance of music education programs throughout North America, and to celebrate the many proven benefits of playing music for people of all ages. Details available at: http://www.wannaplaymusic.com/programs/music-monday-usa on Music Monday participation.

This year, NAMM has partnered with the star of CW television series “Gossip Girl” and singer/songwriter, Taylor Momsen, as the National Wanna Play Music Week official spokesperson. In addition to her rise to fame on the wildly popular “Gossip Girl,” Momsen is passionate and dedicated to music-making, channeling this into her new career path as the lead singer of the band, “The Pretty Reckless.” In celebration of Music Monday, Taylor Momsen and “The Pretty Reckless” will be making limited media appearances in New York City and performing at the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts today along with the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus.

“The Pretty Reckless came together as a group because of our shared passion for playing and performing music we love,” said Taylor Momsen. “With NAMM and the John Lennon Educational Bus, we hope to inspire and motivate the next generation of musicians to appreciate and embrace the art of music making.”

Tuesday, May 4, 2010 – “Flash Jam USA” – To celebrate the spontaneity of music-making and illustrate how anyone can learn how to play an instrument, NAMM has organized a series of “Flash Jams” across the country, where strangers will join together to play the classic song, “Twist and Shout” in the spirit of encouraging others to learn more about music making. Videos of the “Flash Jams” will be shared on various social media networks. Check out videos from across the country and find out how you can perform your local “Flash Jam” on the NAMM YouTube Channel and WannaPlayMusic.com

Wednesday, May 5, 2010 – “Best Communities for Music Education” – Even the most famous musicians started as students and chances they picked up their first instrument in school music class. To recognize the importance of music education in schools, the NAMM Foundation will announce its “Best Communities for Music Education,” which honors schools and communities throughout the nation that work hard to ensure music education is included as part of a complete education program for every child.

Thursday, May 6. 2010 – “Unexpected Musicians” – You’d be surprised by how many celebrities (including actors, professional athletes, politicians and authors) also play music as a recreational activity. NAMM will launch and showcase a comprehensive online database of the world’s “unexpected celebrity musicians.” Visit wannaplaymusic.com to find out which celebrities actually can play an instrument, whether guitar, drums, even the banjo, and more.

Friday, May 7, 2010 – “National Store Appreciation Day” – National Wanna Play Music Week will close by honoring the hub of all things musical – the local community music store. On National Music Store Appreciation Day, non-musicians are encouraged to pay their neighborhood music store a visit to get started and learn more about the benefits of music making. Participating stores will feature special activities on this first annual commemorative day.