NAMM members are preparing to take the nation’s capital by storm to make the case for comprehensive school music-education programs. Leaders of the music products industry, celebrity artists and other industry influencers will once again join together to encourage congressional leaders to support music education for all children. Registration is now open to current NAMM members for the annual DC Fly-In, scheduled for May 19 to 21.
“Encouraging more young people to play music benefits the entire industry, and reaching out through the education system is the most important way to reach tens of millions of students,” said Joe Lamond, President and CEO of NAMM. “Going to DC to lobby our elected officials and policy makers is the privilege and responsibility we all share living in a democratic society. NAMM members who have participated come away with a profound sense of accomplishment and appreciation for the opportunity to have their voice heard.”
The D.C. Fly-In coincides with school budget season, when schools and districts decide where to allocate annual resources. Music-education programs are frequently among the first to be adversely affected when schools are faced with budget shortfalls. Yet, research and educators alike assert that music education contributes to students’ overall success in school and life.
The advocacy effort kicks off May 19 with a day of service at DC’s Savoy Elementary School, which is part of the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities (PCAH) Turnaround Arts initiative. Turnaround Arts is an effort to infuse the nation’s lowest-performing elementary schools with arts programs, including music. NAMM members will bring musical instruments to the school for a day of making music. May 20’s advocacy training at the Kennedy Center will apprise NAMM delegates of current issues facing public school music programs. That evening at the Library of Congress, NAMM honors Turnaround Arts at an exclusive dinner. On May 21, advocacy kicks into high gear as NAMM members head to Capitol Hill to advocate directly to members of Congress. NAMM delegates will stress the significance of ensuring, and the legislation necessary to ensure, that every child has access to comprehensive music education.