Huntington Named “One of Best U.S. Communities for Music”

The Huntington School District has once again been recognized by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation as one of the “best communities for music education” in the country. The national awards program identifies districts with exemplary dedication to their music programs.

“The schools and districts that the NAMM Foundation honors this year with this award demonstrate a commitment to supporting music education and assuring opportunities for music learning in the curriculum for all students,” said Mary Luehrsen of the NAMM Foundation. “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. 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. ”

Districts that have been recognized by the NAMM Foundation are often held up as models for other educators looking to boost their own music education programs. In all, 476 districts from across the United States were recognized with the Best Communities for Music Education Award. There are 13,515 districts in the country.

“We are all so pleased that Huntington has become a mainstay on the list of best music communities,” Superintendent James W. Polansky said. “With our exceptionally talented students and staff, supportive parents and community and the district’s ongoing commitment to our outstanding programs, we would expect nothing less. Thank you and congratulations, Huntington!”

District music faculty and student-musicians are understandably taking pride in receiving the national award. To qualify for the Best Communities designation, Huntington officials answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program and community music-making programs. The NAMM Foundation, with the assistance of researchers at The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas, evaluates participants on these factors. Designations are made to districts that demonstrate an exceptionally high commitment and access to music education.

“Huntington’s outstanding music program has been once again recognized by the NAMM Foundation,” said Sarah Loveland Gill, district director of fine and performing arts. “Our elementary general music programs, our extensive instrumental and choral ensembles and the number of students who participate in county, state and regional festivals are just a few of the reasons we should celebrate this accomplishment. We have some of the best faculty to be found anywhere and they dedicate themselves tirelessly to the music program.”

The NAMM Foundation is a non-profit organization with the mission of advancing active participation in music. Visit www.nammfoundation.org for more information about the NAMM Foundation.

“Music and the arts make a very positive contribution to the general success of the school and connection to the community,” said Christopher Johnson, a researcher at the University of Kansas. “Access to music and the arts in the curriculum is important in its own right and connects students to their own personal expression and creativity. These activities also have been shown to contribute to lower dropout rates, higher graduation rates, higher ACT scores, and all the while, children learn the joys of music and all the life skills it fosters.”   Story  and Pictures by Jim Hoops