Every year since 2009, MMR has recognized significant figures in the world of MI who have contributed in meaningful ways to the advocacy of music education at the community and local levels with the Don Johnson Industry Service Award, named in honor of former editor Don Johnson, who passed away in 2008.
Past recipients of this honor include Dave Teeple, Felice Mancini, Skip Maggiora, Keith Mardak, George Quinlan and George Quinlan Jr., John D’Addario Jr. and Jim D’Addario, Mary Luehrsen, and last year’s winner Steve West.
Susan and Jonathan Lipp, heads of Madison, Wisconsin’s Full Compass Systems are well known for their longstanding commitment to all types of charitable endeavors – including but not limited to active support of Concerts in the Park, Wisconsin Center for Music Education, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra, and scholarship endowments for the University of Wisconsin-Madison Music and Theatre Departments. Susan served on the NAMM Board from 2004 – 2007, both Susan and Jonathan have been regular attendees of the annual NAMM Music Education Advocacy Fly-Ins (Susan has been present for all but one of the yearly trips to D.C.), and Susan was the second individual ever to receive a SupportMusic.com award. The Lipps truly embody the principles and values that the Don Johnson Award was created to celebrate.
Please join us in Anaheim during The NAMM Show on Saturday 21 from 9:30 am – 11:00 am at the Anaheim Hilton’s California Ballroom A/B for the Grand Rally for Music Education where the award will be presented to Jonathan and Susan Lipp, recognizing their tireless – and continued – efforts to advocate for the importance of music education and the creation of more music makers.
