15 Massachusetts Communities Named Best For Music Education

MASSACHUSETTS—These are communities in perfect harmony between the schools and the kids.

This week, 527 school districts and 92 schools across the nation are being recognized by The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation for their outstanding music education programs, said and announcement, and 15 of those communities are in Massachusetts.

In cooperation with researchers at The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas, and based on survey results, The NAMM Foundation each year selects school districts to be recognized as being among the Best Communities for Music Education (BCME). Individual schools with excellent music education earn the SupportMusic Merit Award (SMMA).

Massachusetts schools on the list include Agawam, Belmont, Billerica, Burlington, Chelmsford, Duxbury, Lexington, Marblehead, Pentucket Regional School District in West Newbury, Southern Berkshire Regional School District in Sheffield, Wakefield, Westborough, Westford, Weston and Wayland.

Now in its 18th year, "the awards program recognizes outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders who have made music education part of the curriculum," according to the release. Designations are made to districts and schools that demonstrate an exceptionally high commitment and access to music education. These districts and schools set the bar in offering students access to comprehensive music education.

“Studying music has intrinsic benefits and, on its own, is core to learning. Also, the links between student success and music education have now been demonstrated by brain researchers in multiple studies,” said Mary Luehrsen, executive director of The NAMM Foundation, in a statement. “The schools and districts our foundation recognizes are building on that connection between music and academics. These schools and districts are models for other educators who see music as a key ingredient in a well-rounded curriculum that makes music available to all children, regardless of zip code.”

A list of all 527 Best Communities in Music Education can be found here.

A list of the 92 schools receiving SupportMusic Merit Awards can be found here.

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