Tradition, Innovation, Synergy: Yamaha Continues to Set Gold Standard in Percussion Landscape

Celebrating its 45th year in drum manufacturing, Yamaha is an industry leader in supporting music education.

Indianapolis, IN -- (SBWire) -- 05/28/2012 --Yamaha got its start making musical instruments in 1887. At the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis, a Yamaha piano and organ received an honorary grand prize. In 1967, Yamaha parlayed its substantial expertise with wood and steel from piano manufacturing into an exciting new area: building the world’s finest drum kits. The drum lineup expanded to both marching and concert percussion products in late 1984, when the company embarked on its mission to become the world’s leading percussion instrument manufacturer.

“As the industry leader in supporting music education, Yamaha recognizes the value of knowledge, which we share both inside and outside our organization,” says Troy Wollwage, Band & Orchestral Percussion Marketing Manager. “Within Yamaha, all divisions share their latest musical technologies across platforms, which fosters innovation and creativity. Outside the organization, Yamaha has a distinguished track record of supporting music in the schools and offering informative Band and Orchestral clinics around the country at local dealerships, as well as supporting a variety of percussion events throughout the year.”

The percussion department at Yamaha has a long-standing commitment and an unrivaled focus on educational endeavors. For instance, Yamaha is the only musical instrument manufacturer to sponsor all four major drum events, Drum Corps International, Bands of America, Winter Guard International and the U.S. Scholastic Band Association. Yamaha sponsored drum and bugles corps have taken 15 DCI titles and 14 High Percussion titles. In addition to supporting the Percussive Arts Society, Yamaha is actively involved with numerous state-level Music Educators Associations. In the United States, an industry leading 192 collegiate-level drumlines depended upon Yamaha during the fall season.

With the largest artist roster in the industry by far, the company enjoys fruitful collaborations with 209 percussion artists culled from the ranks of elite educators across the country – nearly 20 percent of whom hold doctoral degrees. In 2010, Yamaha spent over a quarter of a million dollars to support clinics that enhance techniques and help attendees get the most from their musical instruments. The company employs three internal marketing staff with nearly 30 years of combined experience with the company.

The marching and concert percussion product lineup is manufactured to exacting standards in Japan, China and the United States. Celebrating its 45th anniversary of making the world’s top drums, Yamaha continues is mission to blend new technology with its rich history and dedication to education.

For more information about Yamaha products, write Yamaha Corporation of America, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622-6600; call (714) 522-9011; email infostation@yamaha.com; or visit http://www.yamaha.com.

About Yamaha
Yamaha Corporation of America (YCA) is one of the largest subsidiaries of Yamaha Corporation, Japan and offers a full line of award-winning musical instruments and sound reinforcement products to the U.S. market. Products include: Yamaha acoustic, digital and hybrid pianos, portable keyboards, guitars, acoustic and electronic drums, band and orchestral instruments, marching percussion products, synthesizers, professional digital and analog audio equipment, Steinberg recording products and Nexo commercial audio products. YCA markets innovative, finely crafted technology products and musical instruments targeted to the hobbyist, education, worship, professional music and installation markets.

Media Relations Contact

Lisa Cesarano
914-798-7134
http://www.yamaha.com

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