NASHVILLE, TN, Feb. 23, 2010 The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM)
announced today that Marching.com has joined the
SupportMusic Coalition, a public
service led by U.S.-based NAMM and MENC, the National Association for Music
Education, that seeks to strengthen community commitment and support for quality
music education in schools.
The coalition comprises more than 200 organizations, representing more than seven
million concerned citizens, working to ensure that music and arts instruction are part of
a complete education for all children. Since strengthening music education is a
worldwide concern due to its many proven benefits for students, several international
organizations also participate in the SupportMusic Coalition.
Marching.com has been providing information and making connections in the
marching community ever since it began as a pioneering site in the early days of the
Web. The site extends a positive voice across a broad array of content that includes
events, links, resources, news and photos from coast to coast and around the world.
Celebrating it 15th season in 2010, Marching.com has experienced tremendous traffic
growth. In 2009 the site served more than 600,000 unique visitors.
"As we prepare to celebrate the 15th season of Marching.com, we recognize the role
marching bands play in developing life skills and adding excitement to life," said
Marching.com Founder Ken Martinson. "We see the research that shows music students
tend to score higher on college entrance exams, and that strong music programs lead
to higher graduation rates. This type of information re-energizes our commitment for
Marching.com to be a positive voice and resource for the marching activity."
The coalition invites all interested arts, parent, education, civic engagement and youthserving
organizations to become affiliates. Affiliate organizations actively participate by
contacting local, regional and state school officials, distributing pertinent information to
other supporters in their communities as well as networking with other coalition
members. Finally, they are able to add tools and materials to www.supportmusic.com
that advance the group's advocacy mission and messages.
For more information and links to national, state and local organizations working
together to keep music education strong, interested parties should visit
www.supportmusic.com. Organizations interested in participating in the SupportMusic
Coalition,
contact NAMM by email.
About NAMM: NAMM is the not-for-profit association that unifies, leads and strengthens the $17 billion international musical instruments and products industry. NAMM's activities and
programs are designed to promote music making to people of all ages. NAMM is comprised of approximately 9,000 Member companies. For more information about
NAMM or the proven benefits of making music, interested parties can visit www.namm.org or call 800-767-NAMM (6266).
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