Music Education Days at NAMM 2013
Saturday - Sunday, January 26 - 27
Anaheim, California
Anaheim Hilton, 2nd Level, California Ballroom A/B 

The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) invites music educators and school administrators from across the country to Anaheim, Calif. to experience NAMM’s “Music Education Days.” The sixth annual event will be held January 26-27 at the 2013 NAMM Show.

Hosted by the NAMM Foundation, music educators and school administrators will have access to NAMM’s premier industry-only music product trade show, where they will have an opportunity to preview the latest instruments, products and tools relevant to today’s music classrooms.

“Now in its sixth year, Music Education Days continues to celebrate and support music educators in their very important role of inspiring children to learn to play music,” said Mary Luehrsen, executive director of the NAMM Foundation. “This event brings together music education professionals to network with the industry and each other, but it also offers tools to create even better music programs in their districts.”

Saturday, January 26

9:00 a.m. Music Education Days Welcome Reception and Continental Breakfast

9:30 a.m. Music Education Days Performance Featuring Mariachi Sol de Mexico
Don’t miss the nation’s premier Mariachi Ensemble led by Maestro Jose Hernandez. This platinum selling, two-time GRAMMY nominated ensemble has performed for every U.S. President since Ronald Reagan and travels the world as ambassadors of mariachi music.

10:00 a.m. Music Education Days Plenary Session
Featuring a welcome from NAMM’s President / CEO, Joe Lamond and NAMM Foundation’s Executive Director, Mary Luehrsen, followed by captivating interviews with music education trend-setters and national program leaders.

12:00 p.m. 
“Broadening Your Base: From Zero to Mariachi!” Presented by: Jose Hernandez, Mariachi Sol de Mexico, Marcia Neel, Music Education Consultants, Inc.

Description:  
You CAN go "From Zero to Mariachi" in a very short time and engage many more students in your school's comprehensive music program. Famed Grammy recording artist, Jose Hernandez, Director of the world-renowned Mariachi Sol de Mexico, and Marcia Neel, former supervisor of the nation's largest mariachi education program in Las Vegas, NV, team up for this exciting session. A student ensemble as well as a number of professional instrumentalists from Mariachi Sol de Mexico will demonstrate how quickly a mariachi program can be implemented successfully. Time to ask questions will be provided as will sample copies of standards-based curriculum documents that can easily be applied at any level. Presented in collaboration with NAMM, Vincent Bach and Conn-Selmer, Inc.

1:00 p.m. 
“The Perfect Time For Guitar Programs in Our Schools” Presented By: Bill Purse & Bill Swick, GAMA/NAMM/NAfME Teaching Guitar Workshops

Description:
Launched in 1995, the extraordinary GAMA/NAMM/NAfME Teaching Guitar Workshop effort has provided instruction to several thousands of music educators, providing each with free graduate credit scholarships, guitars and accessories. To date, this program has introduced several hundred-thousand students to the enjoyment of life-long music making, many who might have never enrolled in a traditional band, orchestra or choral program. Hear directly from two program leaders along with an award-winning high school guitar ensemble about the impact that guitar programs are having in schools and learn how you can start one too! Presented in collaboration with NAMM, GAMA and NAfME.

Sunday, January 27

9:00 a.m. Music Education Days Welcome Reception and Continental Breakfast

9:30 a.m. Music Education Days Performance Featuring Ukulele Virtuoso James Hill and Bassist Bakithi Kumalo

10:00 a.m. Robert Gupta, Los Angeles Philharmonic: Music Education Days Keynote Address
Los Angeles Philharmonic violinist Robert Gupta holds a pre-med biology degree and graduated from Yale with a master's in music at 19. As an aspiring neuroscientist, he did laboratory research at Harvard, studying Parkinson's, spinal cord regeneration and the effects of pollution on the brain.  In addition to his post with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Mr. Gupta is an internationally acclaimed speaker and is a Senior Fellow with the popular “TED Talks” series. Don’t miss this extraordinary presentation.  

12:00 p.m. - Hilton Level 4 Avila Room
“Using Technology to Enhance Your Music Classroom” Presented By: Dr. Jay Dorfman, TI:ME / Boston University

Description:
Our work as music teachers involves so many daily concerns about lesson planning, materials, assessment, classroom management, and measures of accountability, all while providing student with meaningful musical experiences. Technology can help us design those experiences so that students are engaged and interested in the material they are expected to learn. In this session, we will take a broad look at how technology can support music teaching in a standards-based music curriculum, and see some quick ways for you to integrate the latest technologies into your teaching. Presented in collaboration with NAMM, TI:ME and Boston University.

1:00 p.m. - Hilton Level 4 Avila Room
“Tips for Success:  Secrets Revealed from Leading Instrumental Music Educators to Make Your Job Easier” Presented by: Marcia Neel, Music Achievement Council

Description:
The job of the music educator has always been multi-faceted but is becoming even more complex due to the demands of today's challenging environment. The Music Achievement Council has responded by providing one of its most valuable resources—the Tips for Success Series. This collection of user-friendly tips provides practical organizational strategies that will help make our job a whole lot easier. This session touches on a number of specific Tips in a fun, upbeat presentation with complimentary copies of the entire collection being provided on flash drives at the conclusion. Presented in collaboration with NAMM and the Music Achievement Council.