Music Education In the Spotlight at 2015 NAMM Show

The Anaheim-based NAMM Show gathers music education leaders, college music faculty and music-career seeking students though events hosted by the NAMM Foundation. Renowned musician, DJ and composer Moby, and award-winning inspirational speaker Richard Gerver will headline five days of networking, volunteer work, educational sessions and research briefings. Music students and educators can register for the 2015 NAMM Show at NAMMFoundation.org.

“Music education – both formal and informal – is a pathway of learning that fuels each generation of music makers,” said NAMM Foundation Executive Director Mary Luehrsen. “NAMM Foundation is honored to welcome the music students and educators to soak up the innovation and inspiration that abounds at the NAMM Show.”

To kick of The NAMM Show, the NAMM Foundation is offering all NAMM Show attendees an opportunity to participate in efforts to bring music back to the Anaheim Public School District. Start the show off early and right by investing in a musical day of service at Anaheim’s Marshall Elementary School from 8 a.m. to noon. Instruments and facilitators provided by Kala Brand Music Co., Remo, GAMA and more.

Platinum recording artist Moby opens Generation Next on Thursday. Generation Next produced in collaboration with the College Music Society, is a NAMM Show exclusive educational opportunity for college music students preparing for careers in the music products industry and music faculty. Moby’s keynote, made possible in collaboration with the Los Angeles College of Music, starts at 9:30 a.m. in the Anaheim Hilton’s NAMM Foundation Lounge.

Music Education Days offers music educators and administrators valuable exposure to the latest in music product innovations and ideas; these days also celebrate music teachers and the great work they do every day in their classrooms. Educators are welcome to start Saturday off with Apple co-founder Steve “Woz” Wozniak chatting about innovation in music live via simulcast. Sunday at 9:30 a.m. critically-lauded educator and author Richard Gerver delivers the Foundation’s Music Education Days keynote address. Gerver will share his experiences facing change in education policy and funding and how music and the arts continue to inspire.

Funding scientific research, a major NAMM Foundation initiative, will be featured at the show. The President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities (PCAH) unveils new research on the impact Turnaround Arts programs have had in underperforming schools. Turnaround Artists Chad Smith and Trombone Shorty join PCAH Executive Director Rachel Goslins, on Thursday from 2-3 p.m. in the Foundation Lounge, to share their experiences with Turnaround Arts. On Saturday at 2 p.m., NAMM Foundation-funded Northwestern University researcher Nina Kraus and the National Association for Music Education will be featured on a SupportMusic webcast.

Celebrate music education at the Imagine Party on Friday night with Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and Funk Legend, George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic brought to you by the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus and NAMM Foundation. Those with a NAMM Show badge should report to the NAMM GoPro Grand Plaza Stage to get funked up starting at 6 p.m.

Check out the complete lineup of NAMM Foundation events and register for Generation Next and Music Education Days. Most music education-related events will be held in the NAMM Foundation Lounge, which is located in the California Ballroom at the Anaheim Hilton.

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About The NAMM Foundation
The NAMM Foundation is a non-profit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its 9,200 members around the world. The NAMM Foundation works to advance active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs. For more information about The NAMM Foundation, please visit www.nammfoundation.org, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.