FEB. 12 I SOUND OF MUSIC I AWARD
Sound of Music Receives NAMM Milestone Award
NAMM has honored Sound of Music in Abbotsford, British Columbia, 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.

Sound of Music opened on June 25, 1965, founded by Bob Press. A grand opening paper advertisement with $10 piano tuning also offered a 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 humble 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. Over the last 25 years, mall operations were phased out, and continued success was cemented with the purchase in 1998 of a building.

"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."

Dean Irving 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.ca.; namm.org