ANAHEIM, Calif. — Yamaha Corporation of America, Band & Orchestral Division, will debut new Carnegie Hall-branded student recorders at Winter NAMM 2009.

Carnegie Recorder

The YRS-24BCH recorder is the first co-branded and licensed product from Carnegie Hall. A new twist to Yamaha's popular YRS-24B, the recorder features rich dark brown color with the Carnegie Hall logo and includes a co-branded lanyard. The instrument is ideal for all music educators and hobbyists looking for a superior recorder.

Proceeds of the recorder sales will help fund The Weill Music Institute at Carnegie Hall, which creates broad-reaching music education programs and plays a central role in Carnegie Hall's commitment to making great music accessible to as many people as possible through creative musical interaction and inspiring lifelong learning.

"At Yamaha, we believe one of life's greatest rewards is to be able to use music as a means of creative self expression," says Rick Young, senior vice president, Yamaha Corporation of America. "We're happy to be able to partner with The Weill Music Institute at Carnegie Hall on this extremely important endeavor. It's our hope that these instruments help provide students with inspiration and enrichment for many years to come."

Carnegie Hall has used recorders to teach students about the fundamentals of music through its LinkUp! program, a curriculum for 3rd through 5th grade students, that unites the classroom with the concert hall.

"Through the programs of The Weill Music Institute, Carnegie Hall seeks to ensure that people from all walks of life, but particularly students, have the opportunity to engage with great music firsthand." said Clive Gillinson, Carnegie Hall's Executive and Artistic Director. "We're thrilled to launch this new partnership with Yamaha, a company that so clearly shares our strong commitment to inspiring the next generation of great performers and audience members, and developing their potential as musicians."

The Carnegie Hall Recorder will be available in March 2009.

For more information on the new recorders, visit Yamaha Corporation of America at Winter NAMM 2009 at the Marquis Ballroom in the Anaheim Marriott Hotel; 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.