Music Equipment and Product Companies Donate Generously to Midwest Music Summit

Press release
Source: The Lippin Group

Donations To Be Accepted Throughout Coming Week at MMS

INDIANAPOLIS, July 18, 2005, Music equipment and product companies have partnered to contribute generous donations of musical instruments, equipment and other merchandise to be given away during a special children's enrichment program Music Is Instrumental: A Youth Music Program of Exploration, Education and Development, taking place in two locations on July 22 and 23 during the Midwest Music Summit. Events associated with Music Is Instrumental are free and open to the public.

Well known brands including Washburn Guitars, BC Rich Guitars, D'Addario, Pro-Mark, Roland and Hohner are collectively donating several guitars, strings, drum sticks, CD burners, songbooks, humidifiers, hats, T-shirts, Frisbees and CD samplers that will be given as prizes to participants of Music Is Instrumental during the weekend programs and throughout the remainder of the year at awards ceremonies honoring the musical achievements of Indianapolis' youth. This unique program, sponsored by the Midwest Music Summit, along with Indy Parks and Recreation and Young Audiences of America will feature youth music showcases highlighting the talents of the area's young musicians as well a daylong program of activities, workshops and a parent's music resource fair.

"Music is a vital an integral part of our life experiences and of our children's academic and personal development," said Josh Baker, founder and director of the Midwest Music Summit now in its fifth year. "We are truly grateful for the generous donations from these renowned music companies who join us in our commitment to provide the youth in our area the access to explore and expand their interest in music from classical to jazz to rock and beyond."

The centerpiece of the Music is Instrumental event is The Midwest Music Summit Youth Day of Music Exploration that takes place Saturday July 23 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Bands of America & 21st Century Charter School at Union Station. A continuous program of activities and workshops will be presented all day in more than 30 different areas and covering topics such as songwriting, (Building A Song From the Ground Up), See the Band, Be The Band, where participants will learn about gear and performance from the artist's perspective with a local group, The Nicholas Band, and Parade of Guitars and Sound with Hal Gerard a local singer-songwriter who will demonstrate various electric and acoustic guitars and basses.

A series of performances highlighting the talents of Indianapolis' young musicians will be presented on Friday July 22, and Saturday July 23, from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm at the Indianapolis Arts Garden at Circle Center Mall, one of the most beautiful venues participating in the 2005 Midwest Music Summit. This spectacular setting will provide the backdrop for some of the city's most notable emerging artists.

The Midwest Music Summit will be pleased to accept additional donations of musical instruments, equipment and merchandise for the benefit of the children of Indianapolis. Companies wishing to donate during or after MMS should contact Josh Baker directly at any of the following numbers or on site during the Summit or via email:

Phone: 317-632-1200 x. 21
Fax: 317-632-1220
Moblie: 317-331-6644
Email: jb@midwestmusicsummit.com

About The Midwest Music Summit

The Midwest Music Summit is a non-profit music festival and industry conference dedicated to providing educational programming for artists and industry alike, maximizing exposure for independent artists and fostering positive networking between creative individuals. In conjunction with the Indy Parks & Recreation Dept, the MMS will infuse musical performances into a variety of Central Indiana Summer Camps. In addition, two Youth Music Days will give children Ages 2-18 the opportunity to interact with a variety of musical instruments and professional musicians as well as providing practical information and resources to parents on how to guide, support, and nurture their children into future musicians. The 2005 event takes place July 21-23 in Indianapolis, Ind. The majority of the activities and individual events will occur in downtown Indianapolis and Broad Ripple Village. 2005 Registration and Industry Seminars will take place at the Indiana Convention Center in conjunction with the 2005 NAMM Summer Session. Music Showcases will take place in a variety of nightclubs, live music venues and cultural points of interest.

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For more information, please contact:

NorthStar Entertainment / 805-498-5880
Sheryl Northrop / Sheryl@northstar-ent.com
Midwest Music Summit: http://www.midwestmusicsummit.com
NorthStar Entertainment: http://www.northstar-ent.com

NAMM Media contact:

Paki Newell
The Lippin Group
310-795-7224
pnewell@lippingroup.com