National Association of Negro Musicians facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc.

The newly-elected officers of the National Association of Negro Musicians in 1925; standing, from left, Camille Nickerson, Henry Grant, Lillian Lemon, J. Wesley Jones, Lillian Carpenter, Adelaide Herriot; seated, from left, Mildred Bryant Jones, Carl Rossini Diton, Alice Carter Simmons, Robert Nathaniel Dett, Martha Broadus Anderson, and Clarence Cameron White.
Formation	1919; 106 years ago (1919)

The National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc. (NANM) is a very old group in the United States. It works to keep the amazing music of African-Americans alive. It also helps and encourages new musicians.

NANM started on May 3, 1919, in Washington, D.C. It was created by musicians like Henry Grant and Nora Holt. Later that same year, its first big meeting was held in Chicago, Illinois. The group wants to make sure that music from all cultures is enjoyed across the country.

Members of NANM support each other. Teachers and professional musicians share their knowledge. People who love music, even if they don't play professionally, can enjoy music more. Everyone, no matter their age, can come together to share and take part in musical experiences.

Helping Talented Musicians

Since it began, NANM has helped thousands of African American musicians. Many of these musicians became very famous. They have made huge contributions to American culture and music history.

NANM has given scholarships to many talented young musicians. These scholarships help them pay for their music education. Some famous people who received scholarships include Marian Anderson (who got the first one in 1919), William L. Dawson, and Florence Price. Other scholarship winners include Margaret Bonds, Grace Bumbry, Leon Bates, and Awadagin Pratt.

Famous Performers and Teachers

Over the years, many famous musicians have performed at NANM events. These include international stars like Lena Horne, Marian Anderson, Nina Simone, and Jessye Norman. Other well-known performers include Todd Duncan, R. Nathaniel Dett, Margaret Bonds, Etta Moten, Betty Allen, Simon Estes, and William Warfield.

Many important teachers and experts have also shared their knowledge at NANM events. Some of these include Carl Diton, Warner Lawson, Eileen Southern, Grace Bumbry, Sylvia Olden Lee, and Willis Patterson.

NANM has different groups, called chapters, in various parts of the country. The main organization holds a big meeting every year in a different city.

Leaders of NANM

What NANM Aims To Do

NANM has several important goals:

• Promoting Music: It helps share and support all kinds of music. It especially focuses on music created or performed by African-Americans.
• Building a Library: The group wants to create a special library. This library will collect historical information about African-American composers, artists, and musicians. This information can then be put into books or other publications.
• Research and Preservation: NANM aims to find and buy old sheet music, compositions, and original documents. This helps them bring back out-of-print works for historical use. They also research the works of African-American artists and share what they find.
• Scholarships for Youth: NANM gives scholarships and grants. These help talented young people across the country study music and other cultural arts.
• Sharing Contributions: The organization works to help everyone understand the important contributions African-Americans have made to all types of music and cultural arts.