Southington’s Music Education Program Receives National Recognition

The Southington School District has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education. Southington is one of 4% of districts across the nation receiving the prestigious award in 2017.

The Best Communities Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. To qualify for the Best Communities designation, Southington answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program, and community music-making programs. Responses were verified with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.

Timothy Connellan, Southington Superintendent of Schools, was very pleased to hear the news. “This really is a community wide recognition. Our programs at the High School are consistently outstanding and that is what many people think of when they think of music in Southington. However, it is much deeper. Our elementary programs are truly amazing and our students have wonderful opportunities to explore their musical interests. Our middle school programs expand on the elementary experience and begin to provide a wider array of opportunities for students to enhance their skills and interests. We have very dedicated and talented professionals teaching our students at every level and of course we have the best and most supportive parents to be found in any district. The result is that our music programs are interwoven into the fabric of our school culture and our community. We are very fortunate.”

This award recognizes that Southington is leading the way with music learning opportunities as outlined in the new federal education legislation, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The legislation, signed into law in December 2015, and awaiting state implementation designates music and the arts as important elements of well-rounded education for all children.

Sara Ossias, Director of Bands at Southington High School, was also pleased to hear about the award. "This national recognition means so much to the teachers in the music department. They are really a wonderful group of individuals who I have the pleasure to work with every day. The NAMM award is also a testament to how highly regarded music is in this community. With town-wide support, students in the Southington School System have the opportunity to experience music in so many different ways, from elementary school all the way through high school."

About The NAMM Foundation: The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit supported in part by The National Association of Music Merchants and its approximately 10,300 members around the world. Its mission is to advance active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving, and public service programs. For more information about The NAMM Foundation, please visit www.nammfoundation.org.