HONORED WITH THE NAMM MILESTONE AWARD FOR 50 YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE MUSIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY AND TO THEIR COMMUNITY
Sound of Music in Abbotsford recognized for exemplary business practices that stand the test of time
Abbotsford, BC (January 23, 2015) —The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) honors Sound of Music in Abbotsford, BC with the Milestone Award for 50 years of service in the music products industry. The award recognizes retailers and manufacturers who have succeeded over the years through best practices and strong community standing to reach a landmark anniversary.
“I haven’t gone to work a day in my life, I go to Sound of Music, Where dreams are…played”, said Dean Irving of Sound of Music in Abbotsford, BC.
Sound of Music opened on June 25th, 1965 founded by Bob Press (Dean’s Elementary teacher). A grand opening paper advertisement with $10.00 piano tuning also offered a very generous $50 gift certificate. Recently Dean’s wife Eloise asked how many certificates were given out opening night “not a single one” said Bobs’ widow Helen. In spite of this inglorious beginning the next two and a half decades encompassed multiple piano and organ specialty mall locations as well as wholesaling these products across Canada. In 1990 Dean and Eloise officially partnered and a few years later purchased the rest of the shares. Leaving the malls behind over the past 25 years saw them secure their success with the purchase of their own facility in 1998. Since 1971 Dean has attended NAMM shows educating and keeping on top of the industry trends.
“NAMM is proud to recognize Sound of Music for their 50 years of service to their community, staff and to the music and sound products industry,” said Joe Lamond, NAMM president and CEO. “Their hard work and willingness to adapt, as well as their commitment to making this world a more musical place have helped them stand the test of time and will be the driver of their future success.”
Milestone Awards are presented to longtime industry leaders during the 2015 NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA. The NAMM Show is the world’s largest gathering for the music instrument and product industry. The annual event brings together 95,000 industry professionals to preview the latest gear, attend educational sessions and network with peers from 100 different countries.
Dean added “Today, along with our daughter Kathryn, we run a state of the art music academy and feel like we are the purchasing agent for all our music friends.”
Sound of Music opened on June 25th, 1965 founded by Bob Press (Dean’s Elementary teacher). A grand opening paper advertisement with $10.00 piano tuning also offered a very generous $50 gift certificate. Recently Dean’s wife Eloise asked how many certificates were given out opening night “not a single one”. Dean started with the company at age 11in 1967 and hasn’t missed many NAMM shows since 1971. In 1992 Dean and Eloise completed the purchase of the company after years of partnership. In 1998 they bought a building in a historic area of town and will be found there for the next 50 years!