NAMM and Boys & Girls Clubs of America Partner to Make Playing Music More Accessible to Next Generation

NAMM and Boys & Girls Clubs of America Partner to Make Playing Music More Accessible to Next Generation

New MusicMakers Program Has Potential to Enrich Lives of Millions of Children Throughout the U.S.

CARLSBAD, Calif., May 17 /PRNewswire/ -- NAMM, the trade association of the international music products industry, and Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) are launching MusicMakers, a national after-school music education program, at BGCA's National Conference in Orlando, Fla., tonight. The program will be launched during the organization's prestigious Alumni Hall of Fame induction ceremony, where Joe Lamond, president and CEO of NAMM, and Verdine White, bass player of Earth Wind & Fire, both alumni of BGCA and supporters of MusicMakers, will be honored for their dedication to and passion for music.

With the decline of music education in many areas of the country, including inner-city public schools, the MusicMakers program is providing children with an opportunity to make music that they might not have otherwise. Program participants will use guitars, drums and hand percussion instruments to learn about music making in a fun, relaxed environment. Through the program, Club members can develop musical skills that inspire creativity and build confidence.

"While NAMM's commitment to strengthening school music programs is unwavering, we also realize that many kids who aren't served by those programs would like to experience the proven benefits of making music in their lives," said Lamond. "So we are going to where the kids already go after school, and bringing the music to them."

In January 2004, NAMM and BGCA formed a partnership to create a program that would give children access to music making after school. NAMM contributed $250,000 to the endeavor, helping to develop the curriculum, survey the Clubs about their music education needs and create the MusicMakers guide that assists Boys & Girls Club professionals in organizing the program for their members.

"The young people we serve love music, and this program will give these children, who may be unable to afford a musical instrument or lessons, the opportunity to play," said Roxanne Spillett, president of BGCA. "We look forward to enjoying the positive impact that making music will have on the more than 4.8 million children this program can reach."

"Exposure to music making at a young age was instrumental in shaping my life, which is why we at NAMM are looking forward to bringing the same opportunity to children across the nation," continued Lamond, a lifelong drummer and BGCA alumnus. "I'm excited to be working with BGCA on this program and honored to be inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame."

About NAMM

NAMM is the not-for-profit association that unifies, leads and strengthens the international musical instruments and products industry. NAMM's activities and programs are designed to promote music making to people of all ages. NAMM is comprised of approximately 9,000 Member companies. For more information about NAMM or the proven benefits of making music, interested parties can visit www.namm.org or call 800-767-NAMM (6266).

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America

Boys & Girls Clubs of America (www.bgca.org) comprises a national network of more than 4,000 neighborhood-based facilities annually serving some 4.8 million young people, primarily from disadvantaged circumstances. Known as "The Positive Place for Kids," the Clubs provide guidance-oriented character development programs on a daily basis for children 6-18 years old, conducted by a full-time professional staff. Key Boys & Girls Club programs emphasize character and leadership development, education and career development, health and life skills, the arts, sports, fitness and recreation.

Source: NAMM

CONTACT: Kirsten Berry of MS&L, +1-415-293-2831,
Kirsten.Berry@mslpr.com, for NAMM; or Kymberly Drake of NAMM, +1-760-438-8007,
ext. 162, Kymberlyd@namm.org; or Jan Lindeman of BGCA, +1-404-487-5730,
jslindeman@bgca.org

Web site:

http://www.namm.org/
http://www.bgca.org/

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