Sweet Sound: District 28 Earns National Honor for Music Education

Northbrook School District 28 was named Tuesday one of the Best Communities for Music Education in the United States by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation.

Northbrook is one of seven school districts in the state—and 476 districts across the country—to receive the distinction, which recognizes "outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders who work together to ensure access to music learning for all students as part of the school curriculum," according to a foundation press release.

"The schools and districts we recognize serve as models for other educators looking to develop standards-based music education programs," NAMM's Mary Luehrsen stated in the release.

This year, District 28 held an Alumni Band Festival—a joint concert with the North Shore Concert Band—and student orchestra, band and chorus clinics with professional musicians.

The foundation awards its BCME honor to districts based on funding, staffing of highly qualified instructors, community support and other factors. The University of Kansas' Music Research Institute also worked with the foundation to evaluate the country's 13,515 districts.

Go to the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation website for a complete list of Best Communities for Music Education school districts.