The Herricks High School Music Department was selected as a GRAMMY Signature School semifinalist in mid-November, placing in it among the top 120 music education programs in the United States, according to a news release.
“I’m very proud and honored of this acknowledgement,” said Anissa Arnold, director of Herricks High School’s music department said.
Arnold said the school placed as a semifinalist last year as well and even placed in 2001 as one of the top 16 schools in the country for music education.
The GRAMMY Foundation program was established in 1988 and provides grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to benefit high school music programs that are outstanding in their music programs, according to the foundation’s website.
“Our GRAMMY Signature Schools program provides an ideal platform to raise awareness of public high schools across the country that are providing excellent music education programs for their students,” Neil Portnow, president of the GRAMMY foundation, said in the release.
Arnold said that in the past the school was awarded the Presidential Citation of Excellence by the New York State School Music Association. The high school has also been awarded as a GRAMMY signature school in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 according to the school’s website.
“Herricks High School boasts high levels of performance in band, orchestra, and chorus,” Arnold said. “Herricks High School is very proud to be among the GRAMMY semifinalists.”
The Herricks High School music department consists of a ninth grade band, a ninth grade orchestra, a combined 11th and 12th grade chorus, a chamber orchestra and a show choir.
“We offer a lot of opportunities for music,” Arnold said.
The school will be notified in March of whether it has made it to the finals, he said.
“We’re at the last stage in this,” Arnold said.
Reach reporter Bryan Ahrens by e-mail at bahrens@theislandnow.com or by phone at 516.307.1045 x204. Also follow us on Twitter @theislandnow and Facebook at facebook.com/theislandnow.
