FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Randy Hargis                                                 Kymberly Drake

Rhythm Band Instruments                           PR Manager, NAMM

Ph: (800) 424-4724                                         Ph: (760) 438-8007 x102

e-mail:  randy@rhythmband.com                  email: kymberlyd@namm.org

JAZZ EDUCATION NETWORK JOINS THE NATIONAL

SUPPORTMUSIC COALITION TO STRENGTHEN MUSIC EDUCATION

IN SCHOOLS

HIGHLAND PARK, Ill., March,2009—NAMM, the trade association of the international music products industry, announced today that the Jazz Education Network (JEN) has joined the SupportMusic Coalition, a public service led by U.S.-based NAMM and MENC, the National Association for Music Education, that seeks to strengthen community commitment and support for quality music education in schools.

The coalition comprises more than 190 organizations, representing more than seven million concerned citizens, working to ensure that music and arts instruction are part of a complete education for all children. Since strengthening music education is a worldwide concern due to its many proven benefits for students, several international organizations also participate in the SupportMusic Coalition.

The JEN is a network of teachers, students, performers and jazz aficionados from around the world. The network is dedicated to building the worldwide jazz arts community by advancing education, promoting performance, and developing new audiences.

“Our organization is pleased to be a part of this team dedicated to increasing support for all kinds of music involvement,” said JEN President Mary Jo Papich. “Making music, especially jazz, is about expressing ideas that words alone cannot convey. Getting involved in music—whether it’s learning to play an instrument, singing, listening or performing—enriches our lives. NAMM’s SupportMusic Coalition is just what we need today to help everyone involved in music become better advocates because the power of music to change lives.”

The coalition invites all interested arts, parent, education, civic engagement and youth-serving organizations to become affiliates. Affiliate organizations actively participate by contacting local, regional and state school officials, distributing pertinent information to other supporters in their communities as well as networking with other coalition members. Finally, they are able to add tools and materials to www.supportmusic.com that advance the group’s advocacy mission and messages.

For more information and links to national, state and local organizations working together to keep music education strong, interested parties should visit www.supportmusic.com. Organizations interested in participating in the SupportMusic Coalition, write to info@namm.org.

About the NAMM Foundation

The NAMM Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organizationdedicated to 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, interested parties can visit www.nammfoundation.org.

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