Students Discover Music and Careers at the Museum of Making Music

As the school year comes to a close, our museum team is reflecting on another inspiring season of school tours. This year, hundreds of students walked through our doors—participating in drum circles, exploring interactive exhibits, playing instruments, and discovering how music and the products that make it happen come to life. 

There’s nothing quite like seeing a child’s eyes light up when a facilitator plays an instrument just for them, demonstrating how sound is produced. The teamwork it takes to engage in a drum circle is a joy to witness, and few moments compare to the pure delight of a student making music for the very first time. 

While students of all ages visit the museum, many of our guests are middle and high school musicians. It’s a pleasure to welcome these young learners who are actively involved in their school ensembles and music classes. They’re often curious about the history and evolution of the instruments they play, the technology they use, and how these tools are created. As they move through the galleries, they begin to see how sound products and music-making technologies are the result of creativity, engineering, craftsmanship, and career pathways they may never have considered. 

That’s why we’re especially excited about a new initiative from the NAMM Foundation: 

Consider a Career in Music. This project helps answer a question many students (and their parents) ask: Is music a viable career choice?  We believe the answer is a resounding yes! 

To complement this initiative and deepen the impact of our school tours, the NAMM resource team has created a dynamic compilation video featuring professionals from across the music industry. Their stories and insights spark meaningful conversation and open students’ eyes to the many roles—both on stage and behind the scenes—that make music possible. 

While students may be counting down the days to summer break, our education team is already looking forward to the fall—when we’ll continue to inspire the next generation of music makers, dreamers, and professionals.