Believe in Music Week (18-22 Jan 21) was the NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) online version of their usual full on, in-person trade...
The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) (a US organisation) usually organises an international trade fair for music sector retailers, suppliers and manufacturers in California in January. This is a highly popular industry occasion, but of course cannot take place in its usual format in 2021.
So it has been re-imagined as an online event, Believe in Music Week, running 18-22 January, including exclusive interviews and sessions with musicians, concerts, films and more, and is open to everyone involved with or interested in music from across the globe, completely free of charge.
Organisers are promising a week filled with inspiring, instructional and entertaining content, including a 12-hour Global Live Stream on Wednesday 20 January organised by Make Music Day USA with the support of Make Music Day organisers from around the world. There will also be lots of new products to see.
And if that wasn’t enough, the whole event is a fundraiser for the NAMM Foundation, which of course supports charities and projects around the world (including the UK’s Music for All, through which Make Music Day UK is partially funded.)
The Week’s three main online channels also offer opportunities for leisure-time music groups to learn, exchange ideas and receive support from both peers and professionals:
• Believe TV will host opening sessions and events broadcast to a global audience.
• Gear TV will showcase the latest music-related product developments such as Making Music’s Premium Corporate Member MoistureGuard’s bell covers, designed specifically with coronavirus in mind.
• Artist TV will be geared towards live music, Q&As and the chance to interact with international musicians.
Within the event’s Training strand (one of three alongside Marketplace and Believe in Music TV), tips will be provided on:
• Audio production and technology – after the success of our Virtual Concert series this year, member groups may find some of these digital tutorials useful for stitching musicians’ parts together in a ‘lockdown’-style performance! Find out more from corporate member Super Stuff.
• Advocacy, and how to run non-profit and student music organisations.
• How to take the next step in your musical development, for budding music creators, up-and-coming musical directors, and all music makers!
Registration for Believe in Music Week is now open, with more information set to be released from 11 January. Find out more on their website.
