The NAMM Foundation Announces 2011 Wanna Play Fund Grant Recipients

The NAMM Foundation today announced the recipients of its Wanna Play Fund, a grant program that seeks public donations to support programs and activities that strengthen music education in schools and provide opportunities for people of all ages to learn to play music.

On August 19, the NAMM Foundation’s Wanna Play Fund will auction a special edition Fender American Standard Stratocaster autographed by Don Wilson, Nokie Edwards, Bob Spaulding and Leon Taylor of “The Ventures.” Interested parties can visit www.mikehuckabee.com for more information about the online guitar auction.

The 2011 grant recipients of the NAMM Foundation’s Wanna Play Fund are:

Adams County Arts Council, Gettysburg, Pa. provides arts opportunities for students of all ages. Wanna Play grant supports their piano and piano keyboard instruction program.

Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind Foundation, Talladega, Ala. provides education and rehabilitation services to more than 20,000 deaf, blind and multi-disabled infants, children, adults and seniors. Wanna Play grant supports the purchase of new instruments for a statewide program for disabled students.

Beginning with Children Charter School, Brooklyn, N.Y. supports high academic achievement and the development of ethical character for elementary and middle school students. Wanna Play grant supports their piano and piano keyboard instruction program.

Cathedral Arts Project, Inc., Jacksonville, Fla. provides access to instruction in the visual and performing arts, empowering underserved, school-aged children to succeed in all areas of their lives. Wanna Play grant supports the expansion of their violin instruction program to serve more students.

E.J. Butler Middle School Band Program, Jacksonville, Fla. provides a learning environment where students have access to music making. Wanna Play grant supports the repair of instruments to help reinstate the school's music program.

Girls Rock Vegas, Las Vegas, Nev. provides quality instrumental music education to girls and women in the Las Vegas Valley through hands-on experiences and small group music instruction. Wanna Play grant supports their afterschool and summer camp programs and offers more opportunities for participation for children in the area.

Hancock Middle School Band, Kiln, Miss. provides opportunities for all students to participate in beginner, intermediate, and advanced band as well as choir and general music courses. Wanna Play grant supports their efforts to rebuild their band program to serve more students.

Hattiesburg Public School District, Hattiesburg, Miss. provides students with access to a complete education including music taught in a safe, nurturing environment. Wanna Play grant supports the expansion of their string program to serve more students .

Heath Elementary School, Paducah, Ky. serves K-5th grade students. Wanna Play grant supports the expansion of their school band program to serve more students.

Horry County Schools, Little River, S.Cx North Myrtle Beach High School’s Garage Band program creates a social environment where students can develop positive relationships among peers who share similar interests in music. Wanna Play grant supports the expansion of the high school Garage Band program.

Joplin High School, Joplin, Mo. provides students with access to a complete education that includes music. Wanna Play grant supports repairs to donated instruments damaged in spring 2011 tornados that devastated the region.

Kencrest Centers, Plymouth Meeting, Pa. provides quality programs to individuals who have or are at risk of having mental retardation or developmental disabilities. Wanna Play grant supports early childhood music education instruments and materials.

Mayfield Elementary School, Mayfield, Ky. offers students access to a complete education, which includes music. Wanna Play grant supports the purchase of Native American and African-American instruments for use in the general music program expanding the program’s curriculum offerings.

Renew-Reinventing Education/Batiste Cultural Arts Academy, New Orleans, La. provides students within low-performing schools an academically rigorous, college prep education. Wanna Play grant supports musical instrument repairs to help reinstate their music program.

South Lewis Elementary Band, Turin, N.Y. provides students with access to a complete education, which includes music. Wanna Play grant supports the purchase of instruments that will be made available to students who cannot participate in the rental program.

The Harmony Project, Los Angeles, Calif. promotes the healthy growth and development of children through the study, practice and performance of music. Wanna Play grant supports their orchestra program offered to inner-city children.

The Special Children’s Center, Inc., Lakewood, N.J. provides a "home away from home" for children with special needs and serves as extended family for families challenged with a special-needs child. Wanna Play grant supports drumming and percussion instruments for their afterschool music program.

The Young Women’s Leadership, Jamaica, N.J. provides education to break the cycle of poverty of young women in their community. Wanna Play grant supports the expansion of their piano and keyboard program to serve more students.

Tryon Palace Council of Friends, New Bern, N.C. presents youth with an interactive experience based in the history of North Carolina. Wanna Play grant supports the expansion of a student fife and drum corps as part of commemoration activities of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.

Vail Valley Foundation, Vail, Colo. provides youth leadership training in athletics, the arts, & education. Wanna Play grant supports the expansion of their string program to serve more students.

Winnett School District, Winnett, Mont. provides students with access to a complete education, which includes music. Wanna Play grant supports the purchase of instruments for their general music program.

About the NAMM Foundation
The NAMM Foundation is a non-profit organization with the mission of advancing active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs from the international music products industry. For more information about The NAMM Foundation, please visit www.nammfoundation.org.

About the Wanna Play Fund
The NAMM Foundation’s Wanna Play Fund was established in 2009 in collaboration with Gov. Mike Huckabee, who is devoted to advancing access to music and arts learning for all children. In October 2010, Gov. Huckabee, along with Aaron Tippin, launched the I Wanna Play! CD in collaboration with the NAMM Foundation at www.wannaplaycd.org, a compilation by leading recording artists who donated their musical talents to advance the cause of the Wanna Play Fund. All proceeds will benefit the Wanna Play Fund. For more detailed information about the Wanna Play Fund and the programs that the NAMM Foundation’s initiatives support, and to access funding guidelines and details, visit www.nammfoundation.org or e-mail grants@namm.org. CD purchases and/or donations to the Wanna Play Fund can be made by visiting www.wannaplaycd.org.