Traughber Jr. High Receives Prestigious Award for Music Education

Submitted by Oswego School District 308

OSWEGO, IL — Traughber Junior High School has been honored with a SupportMusic Merit Award from the NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education. Traughber Junior High School is one of only 118 schools across the country and only 11 schools in Illinois to receive the prestigious award in 2016.

The SupportMusic Merit Award is given to individual schools that demonstrate outstanding achievement in providing music access and education to all students. Schools 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.

“We are honored to receive this award,” said Rachel Maxwell, director of bands at Traughber Junior High School and junior high performing arts and band coordinator for the district. “Our student musicians are talented and very dedicated to their art.”

Traughber’s music program serves nearly 650 students, who express their artistry through one of eight ensembles. Recognized multiple times for excellence in music education, Traughber’s music program strives to offer the best middle-level music education in the country.

“We are pleased to receive this award,” Traughber Principal Tarah Fowler said. “Our students and ensembles have been recognized at local, state, and national levels for their work. Many of our alums continue to perform and teach professionally.”

To qualify for the SupportMusic Merit Award, Traughber Junior High School 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.

This award recognizes that Traughber is leading the way with learning opportunities as outlined in the new federal education legislation, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The legislation, signed into law in December 2015, replaces the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), which was often criticized for an overemphasis on testing—while leaving behind subjects such as music. ESSA recognizes music and the arts as important elements of a well-rounded education for all children.

Community music programs have been drawing increased attention because of a landmark study conducted at Northwestern University. These researchers found new links between students in community music programs and academic success in subjects such as reading. Other recent report indicate that learning to play music can boost academic and social skills, such as processing math and learning to cooperate in group settings.

A 2015 study, “Striking A Chord” supported by the NAMM Foundation, also outlines the overwhelming desire of teachers and parents to have music education opportunities as part of the school curriculum.

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. The foundation advances active participation in music making across one’s lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving, and public service programs. For more information about the NAMM Foundation, please visit www.nammfoundation.org.