MORE
NAMM Celebrates MI Retailers at Top 100 Dealer Awards At the 2022 NAMM Show in Anaheim , CA on June 2 nd , members of the industry gathered to celebrate the spirit of the independent music retailer and to applaud their accomplishments , resilience , and commitment to serving music makers at the Top 100 Awards . The annual awards event also announced the Best Of category winners , including Dealer of the Year and Customers ’ Choice awards .
The 2022 category winners are : All County Music , Dealer of the Year ; All County Music , Best Community Retail Store ; Cottonwood Music Emporium , Best Customer Service ; Antonio Violins and Ukes , Best Marketing and Sales Promotion ; Impulse Music Co ., Best Online Engagement ; Maxwell ’ s House of Music , Best Store Design ; Andertons Music Co ., Customers ’ Choice Award ; Amro Music Stores , Innovation Award ; and Zeswitz Music , Music Makes a
FRED SCHIFF OF ALL COUNTY MUSIC RECEIVING THE DEALER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Difference Award . “ At the heart of each music retailer is a story of community , of going above and beyond to serve others with the instruments and tools to experience the joy of making music . This has never been more evident than in the past two years . Service to community-at-large , no matter the circumstances , is why we celebrate these stores and all music retailers tonight ,” said NAMM President and CEO Joe Lamond at the event .
One such story comes from Fred Schiff , president of All County Music and recipient of Dealer of the Year and Best Community Retail Store . In his application , Schiff detailed the efforts of his company to help school music programs reopen . This included virtual fittings for instruments , establishing an “ emergency road team ” to assist live bands at football games , competitions , and evaluations , renewing its financial support for over 1,000 music students , leading relief funding advocacy in the state of Florida for music programs , and many other community support initiatives .
The Music Makes a Difference winner , Zeswitz Music , established the William H . Zeswitz Scholarship Program in 2017 and , since then , has awarded the instrument rental scholarship to 690 students at no cost . In the past year , the company embarked on a multi-year expansion of the program , awarding 80 students in 2020 to 255 students in 2021 , and eased the application process for the 15,000 families the company serves . The company also revised the process to keep students on their musical path : after a year , the student is encouraged to apply for renewal , which is then approved . The program has led to many first musical experiences for students who may not otherwise be able to play an instrument and serves as a living memorial to honor the memory of its founder , William H . Zeswitz .
PHOTO : GETTY IMAGES FOR NAMM
NAMM Foundation & the MIDI Association Launch of The MIDI Fund
The NAMM Foundation and the MIDI Association have announced the MIDI Fund , a new donor-advised fund in The NAMM Foundation . The MIDI Fund will support projects and programs that advance engagement in music-making and the varied and unique options to make , create , and explore music made possible by MIDI , the Musical Instrument Digital Interface that allows musical instruments to connect to computers , tablets , cell phones , and each other .
For the past several years , the MIDI Association has delivered programs for the public benefit . Between 2020 and 2021 , the MIDI Association raised $ 50,000 and donated that money to the Children ’ s Music Fund , a non-profit organization that provides music therapy programs to children affected by chronic conditions or life-altering illnesses . The MIDI Association had planned to create its own 501 ( c ) 3 to focus on these and other projects for the public benefit ; however , at the recommendation of NAMM President and CEO Joe Lamond , and with the help of NAMM Foundation Executive Director Mary Luehrsen , this move enables the MIDI Association to avail itself of the considerable experience and administrative resources of the NAMM Foundation .
The first major project the MIDI Fund is focusing on is the development of a MIDI curriculum and certification program to raise awareness about MIDI in education at secondary and post-secondary schools , and for manufacturer and reseller staff members .
Current work includes the establishment of standardized , readily / publicly available MIDI education content ; and the creation , launch , and active management of a MIDI certification program .
10 CANADIAN MUSIC TRADE