The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus (The Lennon Bus) is a state-of-the-art mobile audio and video recording and production facility, committed to providing students with increased access to music, audio, video and broadcast technology. The Lennon Bus works with national partners, including The NAMM Foundation, to bring these events to elementary, middle and high schools around the country regardless of their levels of expertise.
Since 2013, The NAMM Foundation has partnered with The Lennon Bus in the “What Makes Music Education Great in my School District?” recognition program. School districts are invited to create and submit a one-minute student-produced and faculty-advised video on the theme, “What makes music education great in my school district?” for consideration to be awarded a two-day residency with the The Lennon Bus. In 2016-17, The NAMM Foundation and The Lennon Bus visited three schools in the U.S. which lead to the creation of three touching, original songs: “Down to the River” by Scotts Valley Unified in Scotts Valley, CA; “Unbreakable” by Country Cub Hills District 160 in Country Club Hills, IL; and “Coffee Shop” by Herricks UFSD in New Hyde Park, NY.
“The Lennon Bus serves as a living legacy to John Lennon’s passion for musical expression and artistic freedom, dedicated to providing free, hands-on opportunities to young people who otherwise might not have the opportunity to explore these avenues of creativity," said Jaime Walden, executive vice president of The Lennon Bus. "The NAMM Foundation grant facilitates The Lennon Bus to cultivate learning, skill development for creative problem solving and future employable skills in a challenge-based learning environment through hands-on instruction and student cooperation. The multimedia projects produced on board specifically addresses social, political, and cultural awareness with music education.”
In addition, The Lennon Bus produces an annual Imagine Party at The NAMM Show, inclusive of performances from notable artists such as George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, Ronnie Spector, Dr. John, Fitz and the Tantrums and winners of The John Lennon Songwriting Contest.