Talking Up Music Education is a podcast from The NAMM Foundation about music education. Episode seven was recorded live from Music For All’s Grand National Championships- a marching band competition in Indianapolis. NAMM Member and guest moderator Tom Meyer interviewed music parents and students of award-winning bands featured at the Championships.
“Music education has given me the experience to know how music impacts people,” said Noah Burgess, Blue Springs High School band member. “To see it at such a large scale, like Grand Nationals, it’s really remarkable.”
Sound bites from the podcast:
“Getting to be at Grand Nationals with such similar minds to my own, the best musicians, and the best educators in the country is just mind blowing.” - Brian Boydston, Keller High School, band student
“My youngest daughter, Noelle has special needs. The band is one of her classes. This is the one class where she’s in with normal kids and gets to do normal-kid things. She’s made friends, and she gets to be a part of something bigger.” - Derek Greer, Patrick John Hughes Parent/Booster Award winner
“It is so critical to band directors to have parents get involved. It takes dedication and leadership.” – Tom Meyer
“The whole experience at Grand Nationals—it starts with the bus ride. The whole part of it, it’s just all exciting for us.” - Noah Burgess
Talking Up Music Education is a podcast produced by The NAMM Foundation about music education. Host Mary Luehrsen chats with teachers, parents, students and community leaders who share stories about what they are doing to create music learning opportunities. Please download, share and subscribe to keep up with the stories that make a difference in music education advocacy.