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Summer 2021 20 20 P A N P I P E S NATIONAL MUSIC COUNCIL AWARDS Learn more at: www.musiccouncil.org The National Music Council will honor iconic a cappella group Take 6, and pay tribute to music educators across America for their extraordinary service during the pandemic, at the organization's 37th annual American Eagle Awards on ursday, July 15, 2021 at the Summer NAMM Show in Nashville. e honors are presented each year in recognition of those who have made long-term contributions to American musical culture, to showcase the ideal of music education for all children, and to support the protection of creators' rights both locally and internationally. e most honored a cappella group in history, Take 6 has been heralded by Quincy Jones as the "Baddest vocal cats on the planet!" With 10 Grammy Awards, 10 Dove Awards, 2 NAACP Image Awards, a Soul Train Award, and more, Take 6 (Claude McKnight, Mark Kibble, Joel Kibble, Dave omas, Alvin Chea and Khristian Dentley) continues year aer year to bring extraordinary vocal performances to their worldwide audiences. Take 6 has adeptly crossed almost every musical genre, from straight-ahead jazz to pop, R&B, doo wop and blues. Like a finely-tuned vocal orchestra, the group continues to push the boundaries of creativity and musical genius with every new release, demonstrating excellence for new generations of musicians and fans. e Council likewise takes great pride in collectively extending the coveted American Eagle Award to all of the nation's music educators for their heroic efforts to "keep the music playing" during the Covid-19 pandemic. "We wanted to do something special for the music teachers and administrators who have worked tirelessly in our schools and in private studios across the nation for our children under the most challenging of circumstances over the past year." said NMC director Dr. David Sanders. "We want to let music teachers know that their efforts really do make an enormous, positive difference in the lives of students, especially in times of a crisis." A representative music educator from each state will participate virtually in the ceremonies. In 2020-21, the National Music Council brought diverse artists from across the country to produce a series of video messages thanking music educators and administrators for their continuing perseverance during these challenging times. Many of America's greatest artists and songwriters participated, including Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Paul Shaffer, Rosanne Cash, John Rich (Big & Rich), Jim Lauderdale, Steve Winwood, Nile Rodgers (Chic), Donald Fagen (Steely Dan), Take 6, and the late Chick Corea – along with Country Music Television's "Next Women of Country" Class of 2021 group Chapel Hart and up and coming singer-songwriter Paige King Johnson, all offer inspirational words throughout the video. ey join us in congratulating our music teachers at this year's American Eagle Awards. is year's honorees will join a "who's – who" of musical giants whose careers and works have been previously awarded the American Eagle, including Stephen Sondheim, Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, Clive Davis, Benny Goodman, Lionel Hampton, Dizzy Gillespie, Morton Gould, Dave Brubeck, Marian Anderson, Max Roach, Lena Horne, Roy Clark, Crystal Gale, George Clinton, Ervin Drake, eo Bikel, Vince Guaraldi, Roberta Peters, Odetta, Patti Smith, Sesame Street, Hard Rock Café, and VH1's Save the Music Foundation. For more information, visit www.musiccouncil.org. National Music Council Honors Take 6, Music Educators of America at Annual Awards

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