MEDIA CONTACT:
Scott Robertson, APR
Director of Marketing & Communications
NAMM, the International Music Products Association
760-438-8007, ext. 102
Fax: 760-438-8257
e-mail: scottr@namm.com
NAMM AND VH1 SAVE THE MUSIC HONOR DR. JOHN LANGE WITH THE AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING SUPPORT OF MUSIC
Lange's Efforts Promote Music Education As Part of the Core Curriculum in Colorado Schools
CARLSBAD, Calif., February 27, 2006 — NAMM, the International Music Products Association, and the VH1 Save the Music Foundation honored Dr. John Lange, the superintendent of Adams County School District 14 in Commerce City, Colo., with the Award for Outstanding Support of Music in recognition for his efforts to promote music education.
Dr. Lange accepted the award at the National Conference on Education in San Diego on Feb. 23, 2006. The Award for Outstanding Support of Music is given to a school superintendent or chief executive officer who has committed to ensuring that music education is part of the core curriculum in all schools in the school district in which they work.
Research has shown that musical study develops critical thinking and self-discipline skills and improves a child's early cognitive development, basic math and reading abilities, self-esteem, SAT scores, ability to work in teams, spatial reasoning skills and school attendance.
Under Lange's tenure, the Adams County School District has received more than $300,000 in grants and donations used to build the breadth and depth of its music education program for its 6,500 students. One hundred percent of the district's elementary school students participate in the general music program, and more than 18 percent of the district's students choose to participate in additional elective music programs.
"NAMM believes that music is important to a child's development," said Joe Lamond, president, NAMM. "Dr. Lange's efforts to promote music education has not only helped improve the quality of education available to young people in Colorado, but have helped to promote the importance of music making in their lives."
The flourishing music program in Adams County Public Schools 14 was helped by a local referendum, passed in 1996, to restore music education in schools for all students. In the spring of 1997, the Colorado Music Educators, in cooperation with the local Cherry Creek Mall and NAMM Member Flesher-Hinton Music Company, donated musical instruments worth nearly $5,000. The VH1 Save the Music Foundation also provided the district with $53,000 to purchase band instruments and begin a new strings program.
About VH1 Save The Music
The VH1 Save The Music Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of education in America's public schools by restoring music programs in communities across the country and raising public awareness about the importance of music participation for our nation's youth. In 1998 the VH1 Save The Music Foundation provided over $50 ,000 worth of new musical instruments to jumpstart instrumental music programs in the Adams County Public Schools #14 . Instruments are purchased in partnership with NAMM Member retailers.
About NAMM
The International Music Products Association, commonly called NAMM in reference to the organization’s popular NAMM trade shows, is the not-for-profit association that unifies, leads and strengthens the $16 billion global 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, interested parties can visit www.namm.com or call 800-767-NAMM (6266).
 
