Grassroots organization to help parents and students capitalize on proven academic, social and emotional benefits of music-making
INDIANAPOLIS, IN (Sept. 30, 2011) Parents, educators, students and boosters of music
education all gain a powerful new champion with the launch of the
National Association of Music Parents (AMP). AMP will link parents,
students, educators and the music product industry with an organization
to promote and support music-making and arts education nationwide.
Engaging and empowering parents to take ownership of their children's
complete education, including music and the arts, AMP will give parents
tools and best practices to help champion these curriculums in their
local communities, along with proven advocacy strategies to help ensure
that all children can access quality music education programs. AMP will
work collaboratively with established music-making advocates such as
NAMM, SupportMusic.com and The National Association for Music Education.
The substantial academic, social and emotional benefits of music-making
on human development have been widely documented. The College Board
found that students involved in music programs scored 107 points higher
on the SATs than those who are not. The U.S. Department of Education
data links involvement in instrumental music to "significantly higher
levels of mathematical proficiency." According to AMP CEO/Founder Scott
McCormick, students of all musical talent levels and genres stand to
benefit academically from musical training and engagement.
"Every child is wired for musical understanding; the earlier the
training begins, the stronger the benefits," states McCormick. "By
demonstrating to parents the remarkable advantages that music learning
and music making offer their children, parents will be able to encourage
their children to become involved and stay active, which will lead them
to significant educational benefits."
Noting that top performing countries in science and math also have music
and arts requirements, McCormick added, "Studies show that arts in
schools increases test scores and lowers drop-out rates, as well as
creates life skills, and fosters teamwork, communication, problem
solving, negotiation, time management, leadership and creative thinking.
These are all traits that the education reform movement states are
needed to compete successfully in the 21st century global economy."
AMP will conduct its first monthly Webinar on October 17 with host Dr.
Tim Lautzenheiser to introduce the organization and share some of the
highlights of the organization to its members. In addition, AMP will
hold its inaugural Music Parent Leadership Conference, January 20-22,
2012, in Anaheim, California, concurrent to Winter NAMM 2012, the music
industry's preeminent trade show. NAMM, the National Association of
Music Merchants, is collaborating with AMP and invites conference
attendees to participate in Music Education Days at the NAMM Show. NAMM
is a not-for-profit association whose mission is to strengthen the music
products industry and promote the pleasures and benefits of making
music.
"As the education reform movement races into high gear, we can no longer
passively hope that music and the arts will be included in the
discussion," continues McCormick. "We must educate parents, and be an
influence to our local school boards and administrations. Then, en
masse, we must band together to educate our legislators on the proven
academic and developmental value that an arts education provides young
people."
Learn more and join the movement at
www.AMParents.org.
About The National Association of Music Parents (AMP):
The National Association of Music Parents mission is to build a
grassroots national movement that empowers parents to defend the
interests of our students and ensure that music and the arts remain an
integral discipline within the core education system in America.
Beyond mobilizing parents, AMP seeks to work with valued partners in
both music education and in the music products industry to ensure that
music and arts remain relevant on both the local and national level.
Text and image courtesy of AMP.
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