Five North Shore school districts were designated last week with 471 other schools across the country as the “Best Communities for Music Education.”
The National Association of Music Merchants Foundation, in partnership with University of Kansas researchers, selected the Great Neck, Herricks, Port Washington, Mineola and Manhasset school districts for the “outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders who work together to ensure access to music learning for all students as part of the school curriculum.”
“We are moving from a time when curricula were narrowed due to pressure from testing and test-prep remediation to a broader view of what is important for all children,” said Mary Luehrsen, a senior executive with the NAMM Foundation. “That includes access to a well-rounded education — and an opportunity to learn and grow with music and the arts. The schools and districts we recognize serve as models for other educators looking to develop standards-based music education programs.”
The NAMM Foundation studied 13,515 school districts across the country and made the designations based on a school district’s funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program and community music-making programs, according to a NAMM Foundation press release.
The Great Neck school district received its 10th “Best Community for Education” designation since the list’s inception in 1999.
District Music Department head Michael Schwartz said the designation reflects that Great Neck has “always been a community that values the arts.”
“We’re very fortunate that we are in a school district that provides the financial and other means necessary to provide a complete and total arts education for our students,” Schwartz said. “We’re honored to be recognized as one of the best communities in music education in America once again.”
While many factors play into Great Neck schools’ musical success, he said, the district’s 24 music department teachers are key to the program’s success.
“We have all of our music teachers certified in music and have gone through the process of being selected to be teachers here in the Great Neck district,” Schwartz said. “We’re fortunate to have teachers of this caliber and students that are motivated and interested in learning all aspects of music.”
The Port Washington school district received its second consecutive NAMM Foundation designation.
The district’s Director of Creative Arts, Kevin Scully, said Port Washington received the designation because of the collaborative efforts of the entire community to promote music education.
“We are thrilled that Port Washington is designated as one of the 2016 Best Communities for Music Education in the United States by the NAMM Foundation,” Scully said. “Receiving this honor for a second consecutive year reflects not only the hard work of our teachers and students, but it also is a direct result of the strong support for music education from the administration, Board of Education and the entire Port Washington community.”
Superintendent of Schools Kathleen Mooney said music students in the district exemplify why the district received the designation for a second consecutive year.
“We have some of the most talented young performers you will find anywhere,” Mooney said. “The Best Communities for Music Education reaffirms this, and we are proud to help set an example for music educators throughout the country.”
The Mineola school district received the NAMM Foundation’s designation for the eighth consecutive year.
District Supervisor of Fine and Performing Arts Joseph Owens said while the district receives the designation, music students are who benefits from the district’s success.
“Our students are the beneficiaries of a community that supports music and the arts,” Owens said. “Receiving this award for eight consecutive years is a true testament to our community’s belief in a well-rounded education for all students. This recognition is a true credit to all members of the Mineola UFSD community; students, parents, teachers, administration and the Board of Education.”
The Herricks school district also received a 2016 “Best Community for Music Education” designation.
About 80 percent of students in the district are involved in musical performance programs, according to a Herricks press release.
Music and Performing Arts Director Anissa Arnold said she was fortunate to head a department supported by the entire school community.
“I am proud and honored to be the director of such a phenomenal group of highly talented and passionate music educators, a supportive administration, and of course, outstanding students and parents,” Arnold said.
The Manhasset school district was designated by the NAMM Foundation as well.
Efforts to reach Manhasset school district officials were unavailing.
The NAMM Foundation said research has shown a relationship between learning to play music and the development of academic and social skills.
