Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation: Melody Program

Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation Melody Program provides musical instruments and instrument repairs to existing K-12 school music programs that have no other source of financing to purchase additional musical instruments and materials. Eligibility: music programs that take place during the regular school day. Schools must have an established instrumental music program (i.e. concert band, marching band, jazz band and/or orchestra) that is at least three years old. Maximum award: $8,000. Deadline: August 1, 2010.

http://www.mhopus.org/teachers.asp

The NAMM Foundation Presents Grant
to GAMA at AARP Convention

October 26, 2009

The NAMM Foundation presented a grant to the Guitar and Accessories Marketing Association (GAMA) Oct. 24 during the AARP conference. The check presentation took place at a performance by the Las Vegas Music Academy Student Guitar Ensemble. The money will help to fund the organization’s Teaching Guitar Workshops Program.

Pictured left to right are NAMM Foundation representative John Fitzgerald, manager of recreational music activities at REMO, Inc. and Glen McCarthy, teaching guitar workshop representative at GAMA.

 

KMC'S PAUL DAMIANO IN DC FOR MUSIC EDUCATION WEEK AND GAMA AWARDS

Photo: KMC's Sr VP of Sales and Marketing, Paul Damiano presents Romana Hartmetz with the GAMA 2009 Award for Excellence in Teaching Guitar.

August 17, 2009
KMC's Sr VP of Sales and Marketing, Paul Damiano -- and current vice president of the Guitar and Accessories Marketing Association (GAMA), was on hand in Washington, D.C. during Music Education week to present Romana Hartmetz with the GAMA 2009 Award for Excellence in Teaching Guitar.

In addition to her work as a classroom teacher, Romana Hartmetz was recognized for her outstanding contributions to the education of teachers at numerous state educator conventions, in-service training sessions, and teaching guitar workshops across the country. She has also authored music and curricula for guitar classrooms, including co-authorship of the ASTA String Syllabus (Harp and Guitar edition).

As an educator for MENC/GAMA/NAMM Teaching Guitar Workshops, Romana trains school music educators to teach guitar in the classroom. The Workshops enable teachers to provide valuable music education opportunities to K-12 students across the country, founding a new generation of guitar players and enthusiasts.

For more information on the Guitar and Accessories Marketing Association, contact GAMA, PO Box 757, NY, NY 10033, (212) 795-3630, assnhdqs@earthlink.net, or visit GAMA online at www.discoverguitar.com.

Guitar Center CEO calls for more emphasis on music ed. (2008 NAMM SHOW REPORT)

March 01, 2008 - GUITAR CENTER CEO Marty Albertson emphatically endorsed the Guitar and Accessory Manufacturers Association's long-running school guitar program with a $100,000 contribution, and in a broad ranging speech called for greater industry-wide support for music education. Speaking without notes for nearly 40 minutes, he offered high praise to GAMA for creating a targeted program to expand guitar programs in the public schools, while chiding others in the industry for failing to provide music educators with adequate support and recognition.

"'How do we grow this industry' is a constant theme that comes up at every industry gathering. It comes up with our investors as well--they feel investing in a healthy industry is more important than investing in a healthy company," declared Albertson. "For the past ten or 12 years, our perspective was driven by the growth of Guitar Center, with an emphasis on heavy advertising and creating an exciting store environment. Since acquiring Music & Arts in 2002, I've come to believe that the bulls-eye, where we need to focus people and money, is education.

"Some start making music because God touched them with talent. Others start because of a parent. I've seen firsthand the importance and impact of a great music teacher. These teachers, who inspire students, are what create our industry. They are significantly underappreciated by all of us who make a living off their labor.

"At the recent NAMM Global Industry Summit, I asked a representative from MENC (Music Educators National Conference) 'How many of your members attend the NAMM show?' I was absolutely shocked when he answered 'About 5,'" declared Albertson. "The heart of what creates musicians is not participating at NAMM, what we rightfully think of in the industry as the 'greatest show on earth.'" We come here to celebrate great R&D, great new products, and great marketing. But, we don't celebrate education--the essence of what creates musicians." He added, "Athletes are created by great coaches. The length to which parents and teachers go to support the development of strong athletic programs is tremendous. Teachers are given accolades for their work. Yet in our industry, retailers and manufacturers have a limited and distant relationship with educators."

Calling attention to the importance of inspiring educators, Albertson explained, "The magic of an inspiring teacher resonates at parent teacher night. In those schools, 80% of the kids enrolled might elect to participate in music. In the next town over, where the educators haven't cultivated the same parental support, maybe only 10% will participate in music." Based on these wide disparities, Albertson concluded that "We don't need a broad-based campaign to get them to play; we need to provide more support to keep them involved."

To improve retention rates, Albertson suggested re-assessing the process of teaching school music teachers. "Music teachers coming out of college know how to teach music. What they don't always know is how to create a great music program and develop community support."