Playback - Summer 2008 - (Page 18)

WASHINGTON WATCH The Transformers: CREATING AND MOVING ThE NEEDLE FOR ThE INDUSTRy’S MUSIC EDUCATION CAUSE ON CAPITOL hILL By Scott Robertson You may have seen a car or truck go through a complex range of maneuvers to change into a futuristic robot. But have you ever seen it done with 25 NAMM Members, a former Partridge and a very cool bus? During the second week of May, invited delegates from the music products industry converged on Washington, D.C., for NAMM’s annual “Advocacy Fly-In” event to learn more about the association’s public affairs and government relations activities and then take the industry’s pro-music-education message to their respective elected federal lawmakers in Congress. The week started off with a heavy dose of inspiration as the group met at Howard University for a reception and dinner with the theme of “Celebrating Music Education in Historically Black Colleges and Universities.” Dr. Willie Hill, former MENC (the National Association for Music Education) president, gave the keynote address. He spoke about the importance of collaboration between music educators and the music products industry, saying, “We must all work together to ensure that music remains a core subject and available to all children, regardless of location, race or income level.” Dr. Hill discussed the current music teacher shortage stating that 30,000 new teachers were needed each year to replace those retiring from or leaving the profession. He also urged that more mentoring programs be implemented to keep good teachers engaged and excited about teaching music. The next day was spent learning about all of NAMM’s public affairs and government relations activities, and preparing the delegates for the upcoming Congressional meetings. NAMM President and CEO Joe Lamond said, “Music education is one of the most important issues in our industry.” Mary Luehrsen, NAMM’s director of public affairs and government relations, added, “This process can really transform people. You are doing the work of real democracy.” She went on to describe many instances in American history where meaningful social and policy change took place through the efforts of a small group of dedicated people over time. The group also heard from Jim Goldberg, the association’s longtime counsel on government issues, as well as several members of NAMM’s lobbying team from Nelson, Mullins & Riley, including former U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley, who is also very passionate about the importance of music in schools. Secretary Riley brought in his good friend, Congressman Dale Kildee (D-Mich.), who said that “music education is a local function, a state responsibility and a federal concern.” Kildee also said he will urge his committee to provide additional flexibility in the next edition of the “No Child Left Behind” Act, which governs federal funding for public schools. In many people’s minds, this change will provide access to music education to ensure a quality and complete education for all students. Pictured front row, left to right: Jim D’Addario, Judy Drengwitz, Sandra Jordan, Tom Schmitt, George Quinlan Jr., Menzie Pittman, Mary Luehrsen, Cecilia Derrington, Susan Lipp, Liane Rockley, Myrna Sislen, Jerome Murphy, Joel Menchey, Bill Harvey, Neil Lilien, Terry Lewis, Scott Summerhays. Second row: Greg Billings, Butler Derrick, John Paulson, Dennis Houlihan, Denny Senseney, David Teeple, Chip Averwater, Joe Lamond, Kevin Cranley, Zach Philiips, Jonathan Lipp, Jim Beaugez, Leo Coco.

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

Playback - Spring 2008 Contents From the President NAMM Events Music in the News The Local Community Music Store: A Family Affair Commercial Retail Washington Watch Reps in the Field New Domestic Members International NAMM Foundation Music Notes Resources Viewpoint Playback Supplement : Summer NAMM08 Concerts & Events Artist Appearances What to See NAMM University Sessions

Playback - Summer 2008

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