For the 12th year running, the Mineola Union Free School District has been designated one of the Best Communities for Music Education in the United States by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation.
BCME is a recognition of school districts’ dedication to supporting music programs and ensuring all students’ access to music education.
“The title of the recognition of ‘Best Communities for Music Education’ says it all,” said Joe Owens, K–12 supervisor of fine and performing arts. “From our dedicated students, our incredible teachers, supportive Board of Education and administration, all of our ‘in-school’ people care deeply about the experience that our students have.”
Participants in the NAMM survey responded to questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, course offerings, extracurricular opportunities, instruction time and facilities. The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas reviewed and verified responses.
Mineola is one of only 754 school districts in the country to receive the designation from NAMM.
“I believe [our program’s success] first and foremost has to do with our teacher student relationships,” said Sarah Ramsingh, a music teacher and orchestra conductor at Jackson Avenue School and Mineola High School. “We have such a special relationship with our students, music is one of those subjects that really brings us all together.”
Ransingh is a Mineola alum herself.
“It was my relationship with my music teachers at Mineola that inspired me to become a music teacher myself,” she said. “The fun and joy that they brought to our ensemble playing was something I looked forward to all day.”
Owens and Ransingh both emphasized Mineola parents’ crucial role in creating a strong music program as well.
The Mineola Music Parent Association, including the drama parent volunteers, puts Mineola over the edge, Owens said.
“Students see how much time and care their parents put into our music program and that is a major contributing factor to our success,” he added.
“Our community overwhelmingly supports the Mineola music program,” echoed high school music teacher and marching band director Chris Toomey. “It really makes Mineola a wonderful place to learn, explore and perform the arts.”
Going forward, Mineola teachers will continue to pursue excellence and a sense of community pride, and engage students and families in music education, Owens said. This is made possible in part by the new music equipment and learning spaces that the district has provided, he stated.
“With this support we have seen an increase in student musical achievement and increasing the quality of their performances,” said Owens. “We have also seen an increase in students pursuing music outside of high school recreationally and professionally.”
Ramsingh said she wants to keep building the elementary school string program in the near future.
“Having the opportunity to start playing an instrument in third grade is really special,” she said. “We are so fortunate to be able to give all of our students weekly lessons, ensemble rehearsals and outside performance experiences. I just want to keep building on the success we have already been seeing at the elementary school.”
Quality music education gives students numerous advantages, said Owens.
“The ‘side effects’ of a quality music education are well documented and include improvement in creativity, problem solving, literacy, numeracy, and communication skills,” he said. “What makes music special, however, is that these skills grow while making the world a more beautiful and artful place.”
