Yamaha Corporation of Japan Honors Kurt Witt With Presidents Award
BUENA PARK, Calif. Yamaha Corporation of America is pleased to announce that Kurt Witt, the Winds Marketing Manager of Yamaha's Band & Orchestral Division, is the recipient of the 2008 Yamaha Presidents Award. The coveted award was presented to Witt at a ceremony in Japan on May 9, 2008, making him the first-ever individual YCA employee to earn the distinction.
As a marketing manager, Witt manages product marketing and development of the highly successful Yamaha wind instrument product lines in the United States. He was honored for organizing the Disney Magic Music Days podcast, which featured interviews with national band directors, students and staff who share their special experiences about the program. Spearheaded by Yamaha's Band and Orchestral Division and Disneyland, the Disney Magic Music Days event gave students from across the country an opportunity to play and record popular Disney tracks in a studio environment with the assistance of professional Yamaha clinicians. Yamaha is the official musical instrument supplier to the world-famous resort in California. The winning podcast can be seen at www.yamaha.com/thehub.
"We're delighted that Kurt is being recognized in this manner," said Jay Schreiber, General Manager, Yamaha's Band & Orchestral Division. "He deserves to be distinguished for his enduring commitment to new media, which helped bring Yamaha to the forefront of product marketing and education in the musical instrument industry."
A graduate of North Dakota State University, Witt received his BA in secondary music education with a focus on both piano and trombone. Following college, Witt spent four years at Minneapolis' Music Connection, a full line retail music store. While at the Music Connection, Witt continued to be active as a music teacher and freelance performer. Witt joined the Yamaha family in 1996.
As a professional musician, Witt has performed with the Grand Rapids Symphony, local churches, as well as several regionally renowned jazz groups in western Michigan. Witt is active as a board member in NAYMM (National Association of Young Music Merchants). Witt has provided ongoing assistance related to Yamaha's corporate video and podcasting objectives and strategies.
"I'm honored to have been chosen for this award," stated Witt. "My team and I have received great support from Yamaha's executive management for our multimedia initiatives. This project also offered us a great opportunity to work with the talented marketing staff at Disneyland."
For more information on Yamaha, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Band & Orchestral Division, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011; e-mail infostation@yamaha.com; or visit www.yamaha.com/band.
 Kurt Witt receives Yamaha Presidents Award |
"We're delighted that Kurt is being recognized in this manner," said Jay Schreiber, General Manager, Yamaha's Band & Orchestral Division. "He deserves to be distinguished for his enduring commitment to new media, which helped bring Yamaha to the forefront of product marketing and education in the musical instrument industry."
A graduate of North Dakota State University, Witt received his BA in secondary music education with a focus on both piano and trombone. Following college, Witt spent four years at Minneapolis' Music Connection, a full line retail music store. While at the Music Connection, Witt continued to be active as a music teacher and freelance performer. Witt joined the Yamaha family in 1996.
As a professional musician, Witt has performed with the Grand Rapids Symphony, local churches, as well as several regionally renowned jazz groups in western Michigan. Witt is active as a board member in NAYMM (National Association of Young Music Merchants). Witt has provided ongoing assistance related to Yamaha's corporate video and podcasting objectives and strategies.
"I'm honored to have been chosen for this award," stated Witt. "My team and I have received great support from Yamaha's executive management for our multimedia initiatives. This project also offered us a great opportunity to work with the talented marketing staff at Disneyland."
For more information on Yamaha, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Band & Orchestral Division, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011; e-mail infostation@yamaha.com; or visit www.yamaha.com/band.