2006 American Music Education Initiative

Each year the National Music Foundation offers the American Music Education Initiative with the provision that the Initiative can be withdrawn if there are an insufficient number of applications. The applications we received for the 2006 AMEI are unfortunately too few in number. It is with the deepest regret that we have decided not to proceed with the Initiative for 2006.


Please check this web site for future announcements.

A GIFT TO THE BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

“I am pleased to learn that these radio transcriptions, containing the stories behind the great American music, as told by the artists themselves, will be preserved for future generations.”- Ed Salamon

The National Music Foundation has donated its collection of more than two thousand radio shows, all on long playing records, to the Boston Public Library. The shows, which feature music, interviews and artist profiles, include Dick Clark’s Rock, Roll and Remember, Weekly Country Music Countdown, Solid Gold Country, The British Invasion, and numerous holiday specials. We acquired the collection from former Chairman of the Board Ed Salamon.

We’re particularly grateful to our long-time volunteer Fred McLennan, of Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts. Fred has been working with us for several years to establish a permanent home for these radio shows. He coordinated our efforts with the Library and, with his son Matthew, transported them from their storage location in Florida to the Library in Boston. Thanks as well go to Vince Welsh of Orlando, Florida, who helped with the monumental task of cataloging the shows.

Before CDs and the internet were widely available, network radio shows were delivered to local station on long playing records. Cue sheets included with the records listed the segments of the program, including songs played, interview, commercials and cues for local station announcements.

Bernard Margolis, President of the BPL, sent us this letter:

Dear Ms. Pennington:

We are extremely pleased that the Boston Public Library was able to provide a home for the Westwood radio archive collection. The collection is an important piece of Americana that is sure to be enjoyed by our patrons. On behalf of the Trustees and the staff of the Library, I extend sincere thanks and appreciation to the National Music Foundation for the collection.

A great library measures its impact on two critically important ways. The first measurement is how effectively it provides its riches (information and resources) to the community it serves. The second measure is how the community supports the library in its mission with resources to do the job even better. This gift from the National Music Foundation is doubly appreciated because it permits us to be measured highly in both regards.

With appreciation to the National Music Foundation for thinking of the Boston Public Library, I remain,

Sincerely,

Bernard A. Margolis
President

The Boston Public Library is one of the most prestigious public institutions in the country, with extensive sound archives and a significant collection of music and music-related material. We are proud that this collection has found its home there.