NAMM D.C. Fly-In - The Thank You Tour

NAMM D.C. Fly-In – the THANK YOU TOUR!

NAMM members head to Washington, D.C. May 23 to re-enforce new federal law and its inclusion of music as important to well-rounded education for all children

Carlsbad, CA (March 10, 2016) – NAMM members will head to nation’s capital May 23-26, 2016, furthering the case that all children deserve quality, comprehensive school music education programs. With the recent passage of the federal education law – the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) – leaders of the music product industry, artists and other industry influencers will meet with their Members of Congress to thank them for their efforts in passage of the bill and to reinforce the importance of music being listed as part of a well-rounded education for all children.  Current NAMM members may register now for the annual NAMM Music Education Advocacy D.C. Fly-In.

“The dedicated members of NAMM who have come to Washington over the years to raise their voice in support of music education for all children should celebrate the passing of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). This was a victory for our cause and will benefit the fifty million children currently enrolled in the US Public School System,’ said Joe Lamond, president and CEO of NAMM. “But our work is far from over and much remains to be done to ensure NAMM’s vision of a world where every child has a right to a complete education that includes music. Therefore we go back to D.C. to continue the work, emboldened by our success and even more energized to achieve our goals for our members and the industry.”

“The SupportMusic Coalition, its monthly calls and webcast, and the Fly-In represent the driving reason we are all in this industry. The looks on the faces of children when given a key to unlock creativity is a powerful and life changing moment,” said AJ Reitz of Korg USA. “NAMM and its events benefit our companies and selves by serving as a reminder to all that those moments and lives are in every community in our country.”

The music education advocacy effort kicks off on Monday morning with an optional day of service, when NAMM members will share the power of music with students at an underserved D.C. public school. NAMM delegates will spend Tuesday preparing for their role as music education advocates through updates on state implementation of ESSA, behind the scenes updates on this remarkable political season, pending legislation, newly released research, and message delivery.

On Wednesday, advocacy kicks into high gear as NAMM members head to Capitol Hill to meet directly to their Senators and Representatives in Congress. The day on the Hill ends with a “Celebration for Music Education” Congressional reception in the Capitol. NAMM’s Advocacy Fly-in concludes with a national SupportMusic Coalition “live from Washington D.C.” conference call on Thursday, May 26 at 11 a.m. EDT. Learn more about NAMM's Advocacy Fly-In and sign up today!

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About NAMM

The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) is the not-for-profit association with a mission to strengthen the $16.6 billion music products industry. NAMM is comprised of approximately 10,300 member companies located in 102 countries and regions. NAMM events and members fund The NAMM Foundation's efforts to promote the pleasures and benefits of music, and advance active participation in music making across the lifespan. For more information about NAMM, please visit www.namm.org, call 800.767.NAMM (6266) or follow the organization on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.