Resources
These are websites which may be of particular interest to school music dealers, and to the directors they serve. They offer information on the benefits of music education, music advocacy, funding, and other issues pertinent to school music programs; and they can be a vital part of any music dealer’s resource “tool box.” Please click on each of the following links for a description & for links to the various resources available on that website.
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Music Achievement Council
www.musicachievementcouncil.org
The Music Achievement Council (MAC) is an action-oriented nonprofit organization sponsored by the National Association of School Music Dealers (NASMD) and NAMM, the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM). MAC is made up of three representatives from NASMD, three manufacturers and suppliers of Instrumental Music Products, and one representative from NAMM.
The group’s purpose is to enable more students to begin and stay in instrumental music programs, to share real-world, successful strategies developed by instrumental music teachers.
- A Practical Guide for Recruitment & Retention, the most complete manual on recruiting and retention for beginning instrumental music.
- Recruiting tools such as The First Performance Kit.
- Why Learn to Play Music? Advocacy Brochure
- Tips for Success Videos
CMA Foundation
The CMA Foundation began investing in music education in 2006 and was birthed from the passion of our artists and industry professionals who first fell in love with music within the four walls of a classroom. Thanks to their teachers who believed in them, they were able to go after their dreams. For us, it’s not just about raising up the next generation of musicians but leveraging the impact that music has on students.
The CMA Foundation offers grants, research, and shareable resources to strengthen local music communities.
International Society for Music Education
The ISME was established in 1953 under the auspices of UNESCO, and supports music education worldwide, based on the belief that “lived experiences of music, in all their many aspects, are a vital part of the life of all people.”
This site provides a wealth of downloadable advocacy articles by researchers, professors and others, promoting the importance of music in education.
Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation
The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation keeps music alive in our schools by providing vital support services to school districts, and new musical instruments to underfunded music programs nationwide, giving under-represented youth access to the many benefits of music education, leading them to success in school, and inspiring creativity and expression through playing music.
Music For All Foundation/Bands of America
Music for All’s mission is to create, provide and expand positively life-changing experiences through music for all. Founded in 1975, Music for All is a destination – and sets the standard – for school music ensemble performance and music education advocacy. Music for All provides ensemble experiences, hands-on opportunities for individual student performance training and growth, and teacher professional development.
Music for All is also committed to informing and empowering students, parents, and teachers to be engaged advocates for the arts and music education in their communities and across the nation.
Their programs include the Bands of America Grand National Championships and Regional Championships for marching bands, the Music for All Summer Symposium, the Music for All National Festival and Affiliate Regional Music Festivals for concert ensembles, and national honor ensembles for students, including the Bands of America Honor Band marched for the fifth time in the Rose Parade® on New Year’s Day 2022.
- Advocacy in Action – advocacy tools to help anyone with an immediate need for help.
- Mind the Gap: How, What & Why, a practical webseries for young and future educators.
- Information and Data – quick access to statistics and information to aid in research or advocacy efforts
- Public Awareness Campaigns featuring efforts to help promote music and arts education to the general public.
- Links section contains links considered to be of significant value in line with the mission of the Music for All Foundation
National Association for Music Education
National Association for Music Education (NAfME), among the world’s largest arts education organizations, is the only association that addresses all aspects of music education. NAfME advocates at the local, state, and national levels; provides resources for teachers, parents, and administrators; hosts professional development events; and offers a variety of opportunities for students and teachers. The Association has supported music educators at all teaching levels for more than a century.
Since 1907, NAfME has worked to ensure that every student has access to a well-balanced, comprehensive, and high-quality program of music instruction taught by qualified teachers. NAfME’s activities and resources have been largely responsible for the establishment of music education as a profession, for the promotion and guidance of music study as an integral part of the school curriculum, and for the development of the National Standards for Arts Education.
NAfME was formerly known as the Music Educators National Conference (MENC).
NAMM: The International Music Products Association
NAMM’s efforts to promote music making and music education are well-documented. The organization has spent literally millions of dollars to this end. On their site, you will find:
- Links to NAMM’s partners and affiliates.
- NAMM’s market development programs which will help you develop music-makers as you build your customer base, including:
• Children and Teens – including information on Sesame Street Music Works! and The Music Edge for teens.
• Young Adults/Baby Boomers – Weekend Warriors and more.
• Senior Citizens – New Horizons, Music and Wellness and others.
Save the Music Foundation
This is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving elementary school children of all backgrounds and, diversities. It works directly to support only music education programs and does not provide any money to the school or school district. Instead, The Foundation provides complete band, string, keyboard, or guitar programs to benefit schools for the purpose of restoring public school music programs. On this site, you can find up-to-date music education news, news of program cuts around the country, as well as:
- Why Music? Why music is important for child development.
From the Top
From the Top is a non-profit organization, affiliated with the New England Conservatory, that encourages and celebrates the commitment of young people to music and the arts through a variety of media, including nationally broadcast television and radio shows, education programs, and their website.
In conjunction with MENC, From the Top provides a series of standards-based lesson plans based on From the Top radio and TV shows, which feature skillful performances from the best young classical musicians in the country, along with personal interviews making kids relatable to other students.
U.S. Copyright Laws
Information regarding the U.S. Copyright laws regarding printed music, recordings, arrangements, etc. Includes FAQ’s, how to search copyright records, and more.