Coralville, IA - December 18, 2014 - West Music, with headquarters in Coralville, IA, was recently named to Internet Retailer Magazine's Hot 100 List, a list of websites that are recognized by the industry as e-commerce influencers. West Music was honored in the "Specialty" retail category, focusing on retailers that are unique enough to defy classification within traditional merchandising categories. According to Internet Retailer Magazine, "The merchants in this year's Hot 100 specialty category have discovered compelling ways to emphasize what makes them or their products different from those available elsewhere." To read the full article about West Music, please visit internetretailer.com/Hot100.

West Music was recognized by Internet Retailer magazine due to their continued focus on customer service and finding new and innovative ways to service a diverse customer base that includes local and national customers. West Music has continued to focus on establishing business processes that can provide extraordinary service to both general consumers in the B2C space as well as schools and institutions that rely on West Music for their experience in music education products. The customer experience requires a mix of tools to service both the B2B and B2C customer base.

"We are proud of our newest recognition and proud of what our website can offer to our customers on a regional and national level. We offer strong business-to-consumer elements with a lot of B2B elements in the background." said senior vice president Ryan West.

West Music launched their first website in 1996 and continues to refine its capabilities, search functions, and web platforms to better serve customers locally as well as reaching out to a national audience of music educators.

About Internet Retailer

Internet Retailer Magazine was launched in March 1999 by Faulkner & Gray, a unit of Thomson Reuters. It was purchased in 2000 by F&G CEO Jack Love and some members of his management team, who left Thomson to form Vertical Web Media. Starting with the monthly Internet Retailer Magazine that began in 1999, Vertical Web Media has launched on average a new publication or information service every year since. It now operates a monthly magazine, two web sites, two e-mail newsletters, three conferences and trade shows, and five research guides - all directed to various aspects of the e-commerce business.

Moline, ILA - September 20, 2014 - West Music Quad Cities, in partnership with D'Addario Strings, will be offering a one day school supply donation and free restring event for electric guitars and acoustic six-string guitars.  Participants only need to bring in school supplies donations for underprivileged students or a $5 donation.  Contributions will be donated to River Music Experience in Davenport.  In addition to the restring event, West Music Quad Cities will host an instrument drive with River Music Experience and their program "Let's Band Together", a local non-profit.  All instruments are loaned to area students in need.  An instrument donation will also count toward a free guitar restring.

This exciting event will take place during store hours 10am - 5pm  on Saturday, September 20, 2014 at West Music Quad Cities at 4305 44th Avenue in Moline, Illinois.

Moline, IL - September 5, 2014 - Sing & Play & Learn Today!, West Music's own early childhood music and movement program is excited to kick off their Fall 2014 classes in September. The program is accepting registrations for all classes and will continue to accept new students as space allows after classes begin. Sing & Play & Learn Today! classes are held at West Music Quad Cities at 4305 44th Avenue in Moline, Illinois.

Sing & Play & Learn Today! offers a fun, engaging curriculum that explores instrument playing, singing, moving, and so much more. All classes are age and developmentally appropriate and are taught by enthusiastic and experienced early childhood educators. Curriculum materials include child-friendly instruments and materials.

A variety of classes and class times are available for Fall 2014 including

• Sing, Play, Grow! for babies ages 3-15 months

• Sing, Play, Move! for toddlers ages 16 months - 3.5 years

• Sing, Play, Drum! for preschoolers ages 3.5-6 years

For more information about class times and instructors or to register, please visit www.westmusic.com/SingPlayLearn

About Sing & Play & Learn Today!

Sing & Play & Learn Today! is West Music's own early childhood music and movement program! Designed for ages 3 months - 6 years and using activities created by our own educators and other nationally recognized authors, Sing & Play & Learn Today! helps your child experience the amazing musical and non-musical life skills outcomes of early childhood music and movement! For more information regarding Sing & Play & Learn Today!, please visit www.westmusic.com/SingPlayLearn

About West Music Company

Founded in 1941, West Music continues to fulfill its mission of creating musical communities by providing knowledge, products, and services people need to experience the power of making music! West Music specializes in pianos, guitars, drums and percussion, band and orchestra instruments, and print music as well as offers music instruction, repair and music therapy services. West Music has eight retail locations in Iowa and western Illinois including two new locations with their recent merger with Kephart's Music Center. For more information, visit West Music's website at www.westmusic.com or call 1-800-373-2000.

Coralville, IA - July 24, 2014 - West Music Company, with headquarters in Coralville, Iowa has been honored with two national awards, a Top 100 Dealer award by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) as well as the Steinway Dealer of the Year award in June 2014.

Top 100 Dealer

The Top 100 Dealer Awards bring together the best NAMM retail members across the country, recognizing best practices and rewarding the most effective campaigns. The retail music product stores that receive the distinction of being a "Top 100 Dealer" are judged by a panel of industry experts on criteria including:

• Showing a clear understanding that the success of a retail store is directly related to customer satisfaction.

• Providing a retail experience worth returning for and recommending others to.

• Designing a floor plan, merchandising and marketing that encourages repeat sales.

• Preparing for future success with sound planning, marketing and training initiatives.

• Using the web and social media in engaging, effective ways

Recognition of Top 100 Dealers as well as the awards ceremony for the "Best Of" Awards took place this past week at the Summer NAMM Convention in Nashville, Tennessee.

Steinway Dealer of the Year

West Music received the Steinway Dealer of the Year award in June 2014 at a special awards ceremony in New York, New York. West Music is the exclusive dealer of Steinway, Boston, and Essex pianos in the state of Iowa. The Steinway Dealer of the Year Award recognizes outstanding performance in such areas as Steinway concert-and-artist programs, product knowledge, and customer service. This is West Music's fifth time to receive the "Dealer of the Year" award.

"It is an honor for West Music to receive this award as it is a recognition of all of the hard work our associates put in to supporting a truly excellent family of brands," said Robin Walenta, president of West Music. "The Dealer of the Year award exemplifies our commitment to providing support and developing our customers and the products they are searching for each and every day of the year."

For more information about West Music and their expansive piano services, please visit pianos.westmusic.com.

About NAMM
The National Association of Music Merchants, commonly called NAMM in reference to the organization's popular NAMM trade shows, is the not-for-profit association that strengthens the $17 billion global musical instruments and products industry, while promoting the pleasures and benefits of making music. NAMM's activities and programs are designed to promote music making to people of all ages. NAMM is comprised of more than 9,000 member companies in 87 countries around the world. For more information about NAMM, interested parties can visit www.namm.org or call 800-767-NAMM (6266).

About Steinway and Sons Piano Company

Since 1853, Steinway pianos have been handmade to last for generations. A treasured possession that grows in value over the course of time, Steinway is the choice of 99% of concert artists, and it is, quite simply, the standard by which all other pianos are compared. Details about Steinway & Sons may be obtained by calling (800) 366-1853 or by visiting www.steinway.com.

About West Music Company

Founded in 1941, West Music continues to fulfill its mission of creating musical communities by providing knowledge, products, and services people need to experience the power of making music! West Music specializes in pianos, guitars, drums and percussion, band and orchestra instruments, and print music as well as offers music instruction, repair and music therapy services. West Music has eight retail locations in Iowa and western Illinois including two new locations with their recent merger with Kephart's Music Center. For more information, visit West Music's website at www.westmusic.com or call 1-800-373-2000.

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