NAMM Foundation Awards Program Celebrates 25th Year

School districts can be recognized for their ongoing commitment to music learning opportunities through the NAMM Foundation’s Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) awards program. Now in its 25th year, this national recognition program by NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) honors the efforts of educators, administrators, students and community music education champions who share in the common goal to ensure access to music for all students as part of a well-rounded education.

In addition to the school districts receiving the BCME recognition, individual schools across the nation are awarded with the SupportMusic Merit Award (SMMA), which recognizes support for school-based music education programs.

Throughout the program’s 25 years, the foundation has recognized 900 school districts and schools in 43 states. Previous honorees have said the award has sustained and, in many instances, boosted the visibility of music education and sustained and expanded support for their music programs.

The award is based on a comprehensive online survey developed in partnership with the University of Kansas. It aligns with state arts standards and assesses program offerings, school and community financial support, partnerships with community arts organizations, and student access to qualified teachers. The survey takes about 45 minutes to complete and summarizes the work of a team that gathers data from the district or school; some districts will use the survey instrument to benchmark their progress in providing music learning opportunities.

Music education supports students’ core learning and development as a rigorous and inspiring subject in school. Music is also an activity that connects students to school, and we applaud the administrators, teachers and communities who are committed to music education so that every student has the opportunity to explore and express themselves through music.

The districts and schools recognized by BCME are setting a standard for community engagement and commitment to music education. They exemplify a shared commitment to music learning opportunities, and ways that resources can be allocated and often expanded to meet the well-rounded and social emotional learning needs of students. BCME schools and districts are examples of how to meet the demand for music learning as a proven pathway to student engagement in school. While the impact of the award is unique and different for each recipient, the overall sentiment is consistent in that it brings a sense of pride, joy and respect to these communities.

“Our school system has received this designation for 24 years in a row which has prompted an increase in Board members attending musical performances and great interest in our students and these critical programs,” said Matthew Koperniak, Fulton County Schools. “The NAMM Foundation’s recognition has also allowed us to expand the financial support in the areas of teacher staffing, instruments and textbooks, which is essential in reaching our students.”

“As a previous recipient, the designation of ‘Best Communities for Music Education’ allowed us to thank the Board of Education, our local community as well as parents, and staff for their continued support in providing the best possible opportunities for our students,” said Chris Reynolds, Topeka (Kansas) Public Schools. “It has not only increased community awareness but challenged the community in continuing to make music education a whole-group effort. This has included showcasing all of the tremendous programs which has brought new partnerships through better communication of the innovative work that our teachers provide.”

“Passion from our students, staff and community coupled with perseverance of our music educators through these trying times to strengthen the foundation, continuation, and appreciation for our students’ music education is simply beautiful,” said Carol Gacesa, Northwestern Lehigh School District in Pennsylvania. “Finally, the determination to provide our students with a quality top-notch music education with the full support of our administrators allowed us to be honored nationally via The NAMM Foundation as a quality music education program.”

“The BCME designation has increased the visibility of our music programs both nationally and more importantly within our own community,” said Cleve Maloon, School District of Palm Beach County in Florida. “The School District of Palm Beach County has used The NAMM Foundation’s designation as a key talking point when recruiting new teachers to the district, and we were also able to use it to have a referendum passed touting the importance of music in the schools. We use the BCME designation in all communications, and the school board, superintendent and district leaders discuss the designation regularly with community stakeholders to advocate for our students’ music education expansion and development.”

District officials, music educators and school staff in the domestic United States are invited to complete the survey through January 31, 2024, at www.nammfoundation.org/bcme. Honorees for the silver anniversary year will be announced and celebrated in April. Each awarded district or school receives a comprehensive public relations toolkit that can be used to share wonderful news.

Founded in 2006, The NAMM Foundation represents the generosity and philanthropy of the music products industry. A supporting organization of NAMM, the NAMM Foundation is funded through trade association activities and donations.