Buena Park, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/07/2012 -- Yamaha Band and Orchestral Division congratulates longtime Yamaha friend and collaborator Artie Almeida on the win of the online version of her book, Recorder Express, for an SBO magazine “Best Tools For Schools Award.” Prevailing in the “Best Teaching Tool For Young/Elementary Students” category, the game was selected by a discerning team of expert educators and administrators in attendance at the 2012 Winter NAMM show in Anaheim, California.

Based on Alfred Publishing’s award-winning Recorder Express method by Artie Almeida, the Recorder Express Game offers up to 120 folk, pop, holiday and original songs within an interactive game environment that brings sheet music to life with the use of a recorder as the game controller. Developed to make practicing both fun and interactive, the Recorder Express Game features an easy-to-understand user interface that is suitable for children to operate with little to no teacher assistance.

Harnessing a unique patent-pending technology developed to increase student motivation to practice, the game helps students advance faster and effectively shortens the learning process. Three easy steps make practicing on the Recorder Express Game easy to navigate: choose a page, choose an exercise, and play. Game designer JoyTunes offers educators a gratis Teacher Version of the game—adaptable to any curriculum—that includes printable sheet music, playback ability, and more. Additionally, teachers can connect with students online and access student performance report features such as average practice time data, time last played, and overall performance score for an engaged educational setting.

“We congratulate Artie, Alfred Publishing and JoyTunes on this wonderful recognition,” said Roger Eaton, Director of Marketing, Yamaha Band & Orchestral Division. “Clearly, this combination of solid music teaching and interactive learning environment is changing the way young children learn and practice the recorder.”

Learn more at http://www.joytunes.com.

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

About Yamaha
Yamaha Corporation of America is the largest subsidiary of Yamaha Corporation, Japan and offers a full line of musical instruments and sound reinforcement products to the U.S. market. Products include: acoustic and digital pianos, portable keyboards, guitars, acoustic and electronic drums, band and orchestral instruments, marching percussion products, synthesizers, professional digital and analog audio products, and innovative technology products targeted to the hobbyist, education, worship, professional music, and installation markets.