Headlines: NAMM Foundation Drums Up Support at NSBA Conference

By SBO+ Staff

Public school leaders from across the country experienced the power of music during the National School Board Association’s (NSBA) 75th annual conference in Nashville, May 21-23, 2015. The NAMM Foundation infused music into the Music City conference, while supporting efforts that will make music education accessible to all students, and celebrating the recently announced 2015 Best Communities for Music Education.

As part of the NAMM Foundation’s efforts nearly 6,000 school board members were exposed to the Foundation’s message that every child deserves access to quality music education in school. Nearly 150 school board members participated in ‘Informance: A Hands-On Experience From Inside the Music Ensemble’ to immerse themselves first-hand in the discipline and reward of making music.

“School board members are in the unique position to decide whether and to what extent millions of children are exposed to music making,” said Mary Luehrsen, executive director of the NAMM Foundation. “These leaders make crucial decisions about use of school funds. We hope that every school board member feels inspired to personally ensure that music education is an essential part of the curriculum for every child.”

Student music performances opened each morning with additional performances throughout the day. A NAMM Foundation photo booth encouraged school board members to ”Speak to the Nation” about the importance of music education by posting images to social media with the hashtag #musiced.

School board members from districts designated as Best Communities for Music Education and those supported by VH1 Save the Music Foundation grants were celebrated for their exemplary commitment to music education. The conference closed with a spirited NAMM Foundation drum circle.

namm.org