New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Collaboration. A concept of particular value both to the band San Fermin - and the music education group that is honoring them for their support of music for all students. The
National Association for
Music Education (NAfME) earlier this year named San Fermin the 2015 Stand 4
Music Award winner.
The Stand 4
Music Award is bestowed upon music artists who:
demonstrate excellence in their craft of music; exemplify the qualities that music education and training create in those who practice it, such as: innovation, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, and other 21st century skills described in the b roader mindedTM campaign; speak to music's power in the lives of students as they prepare to be our nation's next leaders and innovators; and support music teachers and the schools and communities that support them.
Speaking recently with NAfME Assistant Executive
Director Christopher Woodside, the band members discussed the importance of music, education, and their new album "Jackrabbit," which releases today, April 21.
"This record is totally different. Turning a thing that started as a solitary project into something that feels very much . . . like a shared musical experience—that's actually been probably the most rewarding experience I've had as a musician," said founder and composer Ellis Ludwig-Leone. "It's great to play for people, . . . but what really feels meaningful is when someone can take a song that you started writing and make it their own and add their own thing, and bring something together that you wouldn't have necessarily done. . . . So playing these new songs [on "Jackrabbit"] feels much more fitted to the band."
NAfME is excited to partner with this up-and-coming band to support music together. NAfME will present the Stand 4
Music Award to San Fermin on June 25 at their Hill Day event in Washington, D.C.
To learn more about the
National Association for
Music Education's music advocacy, visit broaderminded.com and the NAfME website. Visit the San Fermin website to learn more about the band, their new album, and tour dates.
National Association for
Music Education, among the world's largest arts education organizations, is the only association that addresses all aspects of music education. NAfME advocates at the local, state, and national levels; provides resources for teachers, parents, and administrators; hosts professional development events; and offers a variety of opportunities for students and teachers. The Association orchestrates success for millions of students nationwide and has supported music educators at all teaching levels for more than a century. With more than 140,000 members, the organization is the voice of music education in the United States.
San Fermin is an eight-piece band based in Brooklyn, NY, led by composer and keyboardist Ellis Ludwig-Leone, consisting of members John
Brandon (trumpet), Stephen Chen (saxophone), Rebekah Durham (violin/vocals), Michael Hanf (drums),
Charlene Kaye (lead vocals), Tyler McDiarmid (guitar), and Allen Tate (lead vocals). The band gained critical recognition after the release of their self-titled debut in 2013 from the likes of NPR, New York Times, NME, The Guardian, and more. The group's follow-up LP, Jackrabbit, is due out April 21st on Downtown Records.
