Playback - Spring 2008 - (Page 4)

THE BEAT A Note from Joe Music-Brain Research: Changing Public Perceptions One of the most effective ways to change the minds of 300 million people—within our industry’s budget—is by conducting and promoting scientific and medical research. NAMM recognizes the need to make all Americans aware of the benefits of music making, and as your association, we’re committed to the ongoing support of music research that illustrates the benefits throughout the lifespan. In this issue of PLAYback, we examine the healing power of music. The benefits carry over from preschool to seniors, from music therapy programs in schools to helping relieve the stress of people living in war zones. It’s from these real-life stories that we see how much of an impact music can have on people’s lives. The idea that many consumers—parents, caregivers, teachers, corporate America, government officials, adults and seniors— realize how music education helps students learn and that music making contributes to the health and wellness of all people, is essential to our cause. In the early ’90s, NAMM-funded research by Gordon Shaw really started what is a huge movement today to more fully understanding music’s role in human development. More recently, the NAMM Foundation funded more than $2 million for researchers to conduct and share music-brain studies. From the Sounds of Learning project examining the role of music education in the lives of school-age children, to the Sounds of Living program studying the role music making plays in the health and wellness of all people, we have proof that music making benefits people of all ages. With solid research in hand, NAMM’s public relations vehicle shares the information with American households. This has resulted in a major shift in the public’s perception of the roles of music making—and using it will benefit your salespeople when talking to customers. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard from NAMM Members that parents say, “I want to buy this instrument—I’ve heard it helps them in school,” or adults say, “I want to get back into music making because I hear it’s good for my health.” Music-brain research is a tool to help drive consumers to make music and buy your products. The more research we promote, the more we can demonstrate that there’s fun—and positive benefits—to making music. Music-brain research is a tool to help drive consumers to make music and buy your products. The more research we promote, the more we can demonstrate that there’s fun—and positive benefits—to making music. Sincerely, Joe Lamond NAMM President and CEO

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Playback - Spring 2008

Playback - Spring 2008 Contents From the President NAMM Events Music in the News Bringing Recreational Music Making to Iraq Commercial Retail Reps in the Field New Domestic Members International Washington Watch NAMM Foundation Music Notes Resources Viewpoint

Playback - Spring 2008

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