Representatives from C. F. Martin & Co.® will travel to Washington, D.C., on Monday, May 20, to advocate for all children to have access to quality, comprehensive school music education programs. C. F. Martin IV, CEO, and Cindy McAllister, Director of Intellectual Property and Community/Government Relations, will join music industry leaders and artists as part of a delegation of music education advocates during the annual National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Music Education Advocacy D.C. Fly-In, May 20-23, 2019.
The issue takes on special importance as the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which specifies music as part of a well-rounded education, is implemented in states and local school districts under programs and funding available via the federal education law. Martin and McAllister will meet with Members of Congress and other elected officials to advocate for the funding of school music programs across the nation and to discuss the multitude of benefits music education espouses, such as increased brain function, focus, and language development.
“Our mission is to communicate the value and importance of music education to our legislators,” says McAllister. “We are proud to participate in the NAMM D.C. Fly-In, which gives us the opportunity to do so while uniting with our fellow music industry leaders.”
The week of advocacy work will begin on Monday, May 20, with a Day of Service assisting a local school. On Tuesday, Martin & McAllister will participate in a full day of advocacy training, as well as in developing a state-level advocacy program. On Wednesday, they will head to Capitol Hill for a series of meetings with Members of Congress, their staff, and other elected officials and stakeholders in education policy.
