PERCUSSION MARKETING COUNCIL Launches

Cleveland, OH—The Executive Committee of the Percussion Marketing Council (PMC) launched two new program initiatives during the January NAMM convention in Anaheim, California, directly addressing the need of growing and supporting drum set oriented members and firms in the percussion industry.

PMC spokesman, Karl Dustman commented, “The all-new ‘Friends of the PMC’ and ‘Drums Across America’ are unprecedented initiatives for the PMC. Under the campaign heading of ‘Get Involved,’ the PMC is connecting with the full tapestry of the drum industry by creating two specific programs geared directly to building the market for percussion products. PMC will be investing resources to provide more opportunities for companies, teachers, players, and retailers to support and get involved with the PMC.”

FRIENDS OF THE PMC brings a long-needed opportunity and answer to the many teachers, players, schools, studios, and retailers who’ve asked, “How can I get involved with the PMC and its programs?” Two new “Friends” categories have been created: “Partners” level of support will be directed to colleges, universities, retail music stores, drum shops, non-percussion publications, and music/percussion associations. The “Supporters” level of support will be directed to teachers, lesson studios, teaching websites, and individual players.

Friends of the PMC membership will have specific benefits and opportunities to host Percussion In The Schools, Roots of Rhythm, Vans Warped Tour Lesson Labs, Days of Percussion Lesson Labs, and other educational programs and events supporting the creation of new drummers and general public awareness of percussion and drumming.

DRUMS ACROSS AMERICA builds upon the tremendous three-year success of the PMC Free Drum Lesson Lab tent operations at select Vans Warped Tour summer venues. PMC Advisory Board Member Billy Cuthrell states, “We realized many more NAMM-member retailers wanted to get involved with the PMC’s Lesson Lab concept and now we are able to increase the Lesson Lab Tent activities through the entire calendar year. We will seek to partner with two or more retailers per month that see regional opportunities in hosting a Drums Across America free drum lesson lab tent in their local market.” The PMC’s mission in this ground-breaking alliance with qualified retailers is to create more players, thus developing more customers for hosting retailers in their local markets.

Drums Across America can be conducted at local arts/music festivals, shopping malls, school events like arts fairs, and related educational gatherings. Drums Across America free drum lesson lab program is designed exclusively for Friends of the PMC retail members. The lab tent will be shipped to and from their store location at no charge.

The PMC website, www.playdrums.com contains full information, downloadable applications, and membership forms. Supporting images attached: Friends of the PMC, Drums Across America logos.

About the PMC

Formed in 1995, the Percussion Marketing Council is the percussion industry’s trade organization. The PMC is a non-profit with a mission to actively promote the many benefits of drumming to the general public. Part of this mission is to provide professional marketing incentives, advertising campaigns, educational programs and activities that bring increased public awareness to drumming, thus increasing the number of people playing all types of drums.  Members belonging to the organization represent every facet of the percussion industry including manufacturing, distribution, publishing and educational festival-events. For more information, visit PMC’s website at www.playdrums.com.

For further information about the Percussion Marketing Council and programs:

Percussion Marketing Council; P.O. Box 33252; Cleveland, OH 44133

Telephone: 440-582-7006   Email: kbdustman@aol.com    Web: www.playdrums.com

The 2013 NAMM Show was another successful one for Vater! At the show, the New 5A Stretch, 7A Stretch, Whip Brush and Splashstick Rock were all officially introduced. The booth was packed all 4 days of the show with people coming by to check out the entire Vater Product line, picking up a copy the new 2013 catalog and checking out the new stick offerings. TONS of Vater Artists like Brann Dailor and Sinbad came by to show their love and support and to fill us in on what they have coming up in the new year. Scroll down to grab a copy of Vater’s new catalog or check out clips from NAMM here.

Download Vater’s New Catalog Here

February 25, 2013 – DRUMS ACROSS AMERICA builds upon the tremendous three year success of the PMC First Free Drum Lesson Lab Tent operations at select Vans Warped Tour summer venues by increasing the Lesson Lab Tent activities through the entire calendar year. The PMC will partner with two or more retailers per month that seek to work with the PMC on this ground-breaking program creating more players, developing more customers and signing up more drum lessons than ever before.

Friends of the PMC RETAILER Members qualify for this free of charge PMC Lesson Lab Tent shipped to and from their regional location to conduct the “First Free Drum Lesson” in their festival, shopping mall, school event or activity. For full program details please jump to DRUMS ACROSS AMERICA and FRIENDS OF THE PMC

On March 19 and 20, artists Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Bernie Williams, former NY Yankee and Latin Grammy-nominated jazz guitarist, will join leaders of the music instrument and products industry in Washington, D.C. to lobby Congress on the importance of comprehensive music education in our nation’s schools.

NAMM organizes the annual Advocacy Fly-In on behalf of school music education programs in public schools, to promote the benefits that playing music can have for children and teens, and to assure that federal education policy and funding advance access to music learning for all children.

Smith, long known for his music-education advocacy efforts adds his voice to NAMM’s Advocacy Fly-In and efforts to support music in America’s schools. “I am a perfect example of someone who’s been musically educated exclusively throughout grade school, middle school and high school by the public school system,” the GRAMMY-winning drummer said. “If there hadn’t been a music program in my public schools, I would not be where I am today. Every kid – and I mean everyone – needs a chance to learn and grow with music.”

Smith also works with the Percussion Marketing Council’s (PMC) “Percussion In The Schools” program, The Boys Club of Milwaukee, The Collective School of Music, Harlem NYC Jazz, Fender Music Foundation, Little Kids Rock and as an ambassador for Music Drives Us.

Pressure on funding for school music programs continue as many districts struggle with budgets and regulations that force schools to narrow their scholastic offerings at the expense of important core academic subjects, music and arts education.

The issue of music education in schools is also close to the heart of longtime music-education advocate and gifted jazz guitarist Williams, who attended a previous NAMM Advocacy Fly-in and has taken up the cause as a national advocate for music education. “As a student, music was available to me in my public school in Puerto Rico. It fostered discipline in me, and the ability to perform under pressure,” he said. “A lot of what music taught me led to my success in other areas – including professional baseball. Music has a profound effect on kids, and education must include music and the arts.”

According to a Harris Poll, school principals report higher graduation rates in schools with robust music and art programs than do those without programs (90.2% as compared to 72.9%). In addition, those that rate their programs as “excellent” or “very good” have an even higher graduation rate (90.9%). Schools that have music programs have significantly higher attendance rates than do those without programs (93.3% as compared to 84.9%).

Nearly 30 NAMM Members, executive committee and industry representatives will join Smith, Williams and NAMM president and CEO Joe Lamond for this year’s DC Fly-In March 18-20. “NAMM Members envision a world in which every child has a deep desire to learn music and a recognized right to be taught; and in which every adult is a passionate champion and defender of that right,” Lamond said. “Our work in Washington seeks to further that aim.”

School educators and teachers, Click HERE to learn how to host a Roots of Rhythm Workshop in your area!!

The Percussion Marketing Council is offering schools and other organizations around the U.S. an opportunity to host a professional development teacher workshop at NO CHARGE to the HOST. The content focuses on active world drumming and drum making for teachers of all ages; attendees pay only a small materials fee.  Participants receive a valuable training on how to implement this internationally-respected curriculum in your area.

For Hosting Benefits and more details on how to host a ROR workshop, download the Hosting Form.