The Largest Marching Band Competition in America Hosts Music Education Panel Discussion
McKEESPORT, PA (November 1, 2012)— McKeesport, Pennsylvania’s Progressive Music will play a role in the Bands of America Grand National Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana this month. Grand Nationals is one of the most well-known marching band events in the country.
More than 90 bands will compete in over three days of performances. The event kicks off Wednesday, November 7, 2012 with the Indianapolis Public Schools Marchi
ng Band Tournament. Preliminary performances continue Thursday and Friday. Bands advance to Semi-Finals Saturday, with the top 12 scoring bands advancing to Saturday night’s Championship Finals.
The level of excellence of the Grand National Championship bands is recognized worldwide. The Grand National Champion will be given an automatic invitation from the Tournament of Roses to perform in the 2014 Rose Parade®, as part of a three year agreement between Music for All and the Tournament of Roses®.
In conjunction with this year’s Grand Nationals, The SupportMusic Coalition will host their monthly coalition webinar/teleconference live from the event on November 8, 2012. Parents, teachers, administrators and fans in attendance are invited to attend the event in person. Others may participate by viewing the webinar online.
More Information on How to View the Webinar is Available Here
Progressive Music’s Director of Market Development, Mark Despotakis, is one of the moderators of this month’s SupportMusic Coalition event. Despotakis is also a member of the coalition’s steering committee.
“It is an honor to moderate this event,” noted Despotakis. “We’re going to be surrounded by some of our nation’s best students performing in Lucas Oil Stadium and we’re going to be talking about the importance
of music education and talking about how we can all spread that message in our own communities.”
The SupportMusic Coalition is made up of affiliate organizations across the country led by NAMM (The National Association of Music Merchants) and NAfME (the National Association for Music Education.) The Coalition helps to spread the word about the importance of music education as well as provide information to affiliates about new research and information in music and arts education.
Progressive Music affiliated with the SupportMusic Coalition in 2006 and Despotakis has taken on a large role in the music advocacy world. Not only does he support local school music programs and lends advocacy assistance to local music programs, he travels to Washington, DC each year with a delegation of music products industry leaders to advocate for music education on Capitol Hill.
More information about the SupportMusic Coalition and the Grand Nationals event is available at www.supportmusic.com
About Progressive Music
Progressive Music is a business with a mission to enrich the quality of life serving as a cultural and community center for all who make music for a living or personal enjoyment, regardless of age of ability. Progressive Music is the link between the public and suppliers of quality musical merchandise. The Progressive Music staff are professionals whose expertise assist, guide, and motivate people in the selection of music industry products as well present music education to the public through lessons, seminars and advocacy. Progressive Music is committed to their products with an experienced and knowledgeable service center. To learn more, visit www.progressivemusiccompany.com or visit Progressive Music on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.