Yamaha Artists, Instruments and Gear Prominently Featured In Inauguration Festivities
WASHINGTON, D.C. Yamaha artists, instruments and gear figured prominently in the musical festivities celebrating the inauguration of Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States.
"Yamaha is tremendously honored by the role that it played in these history-making events," said Tom Sumner, Senior Vice President, Yamaha Corporation of America (YCA). YCA Senior Vice President Rick Young concurs. "It's quite gratifying to know that our outstanding products and artists helped make these festivities such a remarkable success."
Eighteen Yamaha-affiliated marching bands earned the distinction of performing in the Presidential Inaugural Parade. Several high-profile Yamaha marching groups were part of the action, including The Colts Drum & Bugle Corps, The Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps and The Ohio State University Marching Band. These bands prevailed in a stringent selection process, competing among a pool of over 1,800 applicants.
The star-studded Neighborhood Inaugural Ball on January 20 aired live on ABC and featured performances by Yamaha artists Alicia Keys and Stevie Wonder, both on a Yamaha C6S grand piano placed by YCAA, Maroon Five featuring Yamaha drummer Matt Flynn, as well as Beyonce and Mariah Carey, among others.
The first of its kind and one of the few balls open to the public, The Neighborhood Ball was the first of 10 official balls attended by the Obamas. With an estimated 12.6 million viewers tuned in to the live coverage, early reports indicate that the coverage of the inauguration could go down as one of the most-watched events in television history.
Beyond the inauguration itself, Yamaha also made its mark on several anticipatory celebrations and programs. Additional Yamaha artists who performed for the Obamas between January 18 and 20, many of whom YCAA worked with to provide pianos, include Sheryl Crow, Josh Groban (C7S), Nathan East, John Legend (C7S), Kyle Paas of Fall Out Boy, Omar Edwards with Jay-Z, George Pajon Jr. with the Black Eyed Peas, David Foster (C7S) and Larry Mullen with U2.
In addition, several Yamaha PM1D digital audio consoles were provided by Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems, Inc. to support inaugural and pre-inaugural festivities, while a pair of PM5D digital audio consoles were used for the swearing in ceremony.
For more information, write Yamaha Corporation of America, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011; or e-mail infostation@yamaha.com.
 Yamaha Artist Josh Groban |
Eighteen Yamaha-affiliated marching bands earned the distinction of performing in the Presidential Inaugural Parade. Several high-profile Yamaha marching groups were part of the action, including The Colts Drum & Bugle Corps, The Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps and The Ohio State University Marching Band. These bands prevailed in a stringent selection process, competing among a pool of over 1,800 applicants.
The star-studded Neighborhood Inaugural Ball on January 20 aired live on ABC and featured performances by Yamaha artists Alicia Keys and Stevie Wonder, both on a Yamaha C6S grand piano placed by YCAA, Maroon Five featuring Yamaha drummer Matt Flynn, as well as Beyonce and Mariah Carey, among others.
 Stevie Wonder Performs at The Neighborhood Ball |
Beyond the inauguration itself, Yamaha also made its mark on several anticipatory celebrations and programs. Additional Yamaha artists who performed for the Obamas between January 18 and 20, many of whom YCAA worked with to provide pianos, include Sheryl Crow, Josh Groban (C7S), Nathan East, John Legend (C7S), Kyle Paas of Fall Out Boy, Omar Edwards with Jay-Z, George Pajon Jr. with the Black Eyed Peas, David Foster (C7S) and Larry Mullen with U2.
In addition, several Yamaha PM1D digital audio consoles were provided by Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems, Inc. to support inaugural and pre-inaugural festivities, while a pair of PM5D digital audio consoles were used for the swearing in ceremony.
For more information, write Yamaha Corporation of America, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011; or e-mail infostation@yamaha.com.