NAMM's Rose Parade Float Wins President's Trophy

NAMM, the trade association of the international music products industry, today announced that its float in the 2009 Rose Parade was awarded the President's Trophy for excellence in floral use and presentation.

Overflowing with live music and depictions of how much fun playing music can be for everyone, the NAMM float was a feature for the overall parade theme of “Hats Off to Entertainment.”

The 108-year-old organization returned to the parade for the sixth year and once again showcased its message to the general public about the powerful and proven benefits of playing music for people of all ages.

Longtime Rose Parade sponsor/participant Remo Belli of Remo Inc. was on-hand for the festivities and commented on the important partnership between NAMM and the Tournament of Roses.

"I know after being at this for 27 years that the Tournament of Roses is one of the most significant networking organizations in the world and can help our industry really share our message because they also believe in music," said Belli.

NAMM Chairman Chip Averwater added, "This event is such a great opportunity for us to tell our story to not only the U.S., but the entire world, and I was really proud of our float this year representing such a diverse mix of music between the marching band, jazz band, vocalists and percusssion."

The NAMM float was created in collaboration with Sesame Street and Music for All. Sesame Workshop is the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street and a well-known advocate for integrating music into its program to help children viewers learn and grow. This is the fourth year that Sesame Street has collaborated with NAMM on a float for the Tournament of Roses Parade.

Music for All’s mission is to create, provide and expand positive life-changing experiences through music for all. In honor of celebrating music, the organization has formed its Bands of America Honor Band comprising more than 300 high school band members hailing from across the nation, which marched alongside this year’s NAMM float.

Combining the missions and commitment of these three organizations, the NAMM “mega” float highlighted the many wonders of making music for all people to enjoy.  For information about the proven benefits of playing music, visit www.wannaplaymusic.com