The Herricks Public Schools have again been honored with the NAMM Foundation’s Best Communities for Music Education. Districts are selected based on their outstanding dedication to music education and ability to demonstrate achievement in efforts to provide music access to all students.
The Best Communities for Music Education Award and the Every Student Succeeds Act bring attention to the importance of keeping music education part of the school’s core education for all students. It also highlights music’s vital role in students’ overall success in school.
According to the NAMM Foundation, research has revealed links between learning to play music and the development of academic and social skills. Musical involvement has been shown to improve reading, math processing and cooperation in groups.
The Herricks Public Schools provide a comprehensive music and performing arts program with totals of nine bands, nine orchestras and 12 choirs. Almost 80 percent of the district’s eligible student population is involved in musical performance. At the high school level, the musical experience is broadened through classes in theory, composition, music history and theatre. Students also pursue their talents through extra curricular musicals and dramas, jazz bands, chamber orchestras, wind ensembles and show choir.
The Music and Performing Arts Department has celebrated several GRAMMY Foundation school awards, national honors and New York State School Music Association distinctions. Last year, Herricks High School was honored as a School of Excellence by the Long Island Music Hall of Fame. In September, the NAMM Foundation brought the John Lennon Tour Bus to Herricks High School for a music residency opportunity.
Herricks students earn acceptance to prestigious, competitive performance ensembles on an annual basis and many continue to fine-tune their skills through participation in summer courses. The high school’s Tri-M Chapter has received several Chapter of the Year honors from the National Association for Music Education.
