Talking Up Music Education

Mark Phillips, acting president of the Historic Black College and Universities Band Directors Consortium, shares thoughts on the importance of a “complete education” including the arts, creating exposure for students to experience full instrumentation in ensemble performance, and pivoting the organization’s conference to online.

Music educator Anne Fennell reflects on the joy of teaching music, the limitless potential for creativity in music learning and re-imagining music education.

Staff from the Museum of Making Music- Carolyn Grant and B.J. Morgan- reflect on the universal language of music, pivoting to online programming, and the museum’s re-design for their 2021 reopening.

Composer Eric Whitacre was inspired to write Sing Gently; a new piece to share through Virtual Choir 6. In a time of crisis and isolation Whitacre discusses his creative process and how to get involved in this global Virtual Choir 6 phenomenon.

Mandi Jackson, Executive Director Music Haven shares thoughts about equity and access to music education and virtual music as a life line for students in New Haven, Connecticut.

As the youngest of five children, Victor Wooten’s musical family needed a bass player. The rest is history. In this episode, the 5-time GRAMMY award-winning musician talks about his Center for Music and Nature, dubbed “Wooten Woods,” a retreat center for musicians and students outside of Nashville, Tennessee and the journey that every person can take to make music – as natural as learning to speak. Recorded LIVE at The 2020 NAMM Show.

A special “Flipping the Script” episode recorded LIVE at The 2020 NAMM Show features John Mlynczak interviewing Mary Luehrsen, Executive Director of The NAMM Foundation. The usual host of host of Talking Up Music Education, Luehrsen shares strategies for taking passion-to-action, the mosaic of music ed, and counting your blessings.

Violinist Laura Escudé chats with Mary Luehrsen about her early beginnings as a music student playing in orchestras and her career creating and designing live shows for herself as well as other artists like Kayne West, The Weeknd, Demi Lovato and many more. Recorded LIVE at The 2020 NAMM Show.

Scott Page, musician, technologist, entrepreneur and performer, is widely recognized as the saxophonist/guitarist for Pink Floyd, Supertramp and Toto. Chatting with Mary Luehrsen at The 2020 NAMM Show, he reflects on his professional life of playing the trumpet and sax, his ever-expanding career options and being kind to everyone you meet.

Grand prize winners of the first-ever A Cappella at NAMM, student leaders of UCLA’s ScatterTones discuss their performance at the Grand Rally for Music Education, opening up for Bobby McFerrin, and the confidence they gain when singing together. Recorded LIVE at The 2020 NAMM Show.

NAMM member Mark Despotakis discusses the importance of bringing everyone to the table to advance music education advocacy efforts, the value of attending The NAMM Show as a music educator, and being part of the “SupportMusic Coalition.”

Arts education leader Eric Booth spent the last 13 years working with El Sistema-inspired programs that bring music education opportunities to children and youth that also propel community connections. Booth talks about his beginnings as a Broadway actor, moving to Tanzania and Venezuela as a teacher, and working with The NAMM Foundation to grow a new El Sistema program in a Texas/Mexico border community where realities of immigration impact students and their families.

Steve Venz, Chief Program Officer of Little Kids Rock -a NAMM Foundation grantee- shares his insight as a devoted music education advocate including a review of resources available to teachers and administrators to serve as champions for music education in their communities.

Stephanie Landino, senior at Millersville University, PA chats about attending The 2019 NAMM Show through the GenNext program and how it boosted her college-to-career path.

Chris Martin, president and CEO of Martin Guitar, discusses his recent role as Founding-Chair of The NAMM Foundation. Martin chats about a few things he finds to be remarkable, namely picking up a ukulele for the first time, digital technology and the meaning and rewards of donating to The NAMM Foundation.

Mike Reisman, President of MKTG, reflects on the life and loves of his late wife Liz Reisman: playing the flute, a vision for music education opportunities, and activism for elephants in Thailand. Reisman shares the reasons to creating The Liz Reisman Fund for School Music Education in The NAMM Foundation.

Robert Morrison, founder of Quadrant Arts Education Research, the nation’s leading arts education research and intelligence organization, joins host Mary Luehrsen to discuss the Drum Corps experience and what he did to change marching ensembles for years to come.

Bernie Williams joins guest host Joe Lamond, president and CEO of NAMM, at NASMD. Bernie shares how his resiliency and determination in both baseball and music led to overall excellence in both fields.

NAMM Young Professionals (NAMM YP) is a network of music industry professionals under the age of 40. Several NAMM YP’ers joined us live at NASMD to talk about their roles in the music products industry, and the windy roads that led them to their current careers: Mark Despotakis, Progressive Music; Stephanie Murphy, DANSR; Nick Averwater; and Ryan West, West Music.

Mike Meyer- of Meyer Music and current president of the National Association of School Dealers- discusses his motivation for making sure music education programs are present in communities across the country. In this podcast episode Mike highlights supporting music education in schools and how to help music educators get more kids playing music.