The Good Fight: Make Time to Just Play with the NAMM Foundation this Holiday Season and in the New Year!

It seems like I blinked and suddenly it’s the end of 2015! Seriously, is it just me, or do my readers agree that the multitude of everyday “to-dos” contributes to the feeling that time is just racing by faster than ever? I think it must be a shared feeling, because many times each week I hear from NAMM members and music teachers who say their days are filled in ways that they could not have imagined ten years ago. All report the challenges and, of course, the opportunities of combining the basic needs of running a business or classroom with the desire to connect with the broader community to engage more people in the joys and benefits of making music. This commitment to inspire music making is a shared passion that captures the essence of the NAMM Foundation’s advocacy efforts. In the season of list-making (gift lists, Santa lists, holiday party lists) the NAMM Foundation offers this short list of ways to close out 2015 and start 2016 to inspire the “song in your heart” and service to music making.

NAMM Show 2016

NAMM members who represent music products companies from around the globe will gather for the NAMM Show in Anaheim, California on January 21-24, 2016. This event is open to the music products trade only. However, music educators are invited as special guests of the NAMM Foundation through our Music Education Days and Generation Next programs. With this invitation to attend the 2016 NAMM Show, we salute and celebrate music teachers and encourage their participation in relevant offerings. Not to be missed this year is THE GRAND RALLY FOR MUSIC EDUCATION, featuring a live conversation with “Weird Al” Yankovic and a performance by the renowned Canadian Brass. Music teachers, college music students, and faculty – please join us! For information on registration, visit http://bit.ly/1KxBWeV or http://bit.ly/1R3sYbB

Best Communities for Music Education and SupportMusic Merit Award

The NAMM Foundation’s Best Communities for Music Education and SupportMusic Merit Award program is now open with an application deadline of January 30, 2016. Consider applying on behalf of your district or local school. Music teachers and their programs need support to meet the needs of their students; and this national award program recognizes and celebrates school and community commitment to music education. Don’t miss this opportunity to have your music program recognized! Remember that music education can thrive when school and community combine their commitment to assure that every child has the opportunity to learn music – and that it is offered as part of the school curriculum. Apply today: http://bit.ly/1SEqTmB

Talking Up Music Education monthly podcast

Talking Up Music Education is a podcast from the NAMM Foundation that I host along with special guests. The podcast features chats with teachers, parents, students, and community leaders who share stories about what they are doing to create music learning opportunities. Spread the word and subscribe today! Available in iTunes and on Stitcher. http://apple.co/1NDQGaQ

In this gift-giving season, consider a gift to the NAMM Foundation

Many of us have been blessed by the guidance and inspiration of a music teacher or a colleague in the music industry. The NAMM Foundation’s new donor program is an ideal way to thank or honor someone for his or her contributions to music or for their personal support of your ambitions for a life in music. Donations support the NAMM Foundation’s ongoing efforts to keep music education strong and advance support for its vital role in life and learning for every person. Visit www.nammfoundation.org and follow the links to donate. Together, we keep music education strong!

The best way to stay current with music education information and advocacy is to subscribe to the NAMM Foundation’s monthly e-newsletter, which includes updates in music education research, inspiring news from communities in action for music education, as well as NAMM Foundation activities, events, and FYIs. Subscribe by visiting www.nammfoundation.org/getinvolved

As you set a course for the New Year, please consider participating in any (or all) of the preceding NAMM Foundation programs that are offered to inspire dedication to music making and music education. To all of you, from all of us at NAMM and the NAMM Foundation, we wish you warm holiday wishes!