Another Encore for Westborough Music Program

The Westborough public schools’ music program is taking a bow for the fourth straight year.

And – you heard right – the seventh time in 14 years.

The NAMM Foundation recently named Westborough one of more than 300 Best Communities for Music Education nationwide.

Fine Arts Team Chair David Jost said Thursday that “I don’t know of many other districts that have” been honored four consecutive years.

“What it does is it underscores the support that the community has for the program, and validates and puts a stamp of approval on the quality of instruction that we’re providing, and the opportunities that we’re providing for students,” he said.

The award is based on a survey in which “they measure communities as to how much they support music programs, and the quality of the music programs that they offer for the students in the public schools,” Jost said.

“I’m proud of this achievement. It really underscores the importance of the arts. And I have a school committee that supports it, too, and a superintendent.”

All Westborough students in Kindergarten through grade seven are taught by “a certified music specialist at least once a week,” he said.

Westborough also has a band program, an orchestral program and a choral program that are open to all students, he said.

“It’s a challenge now to keep it, particularly in this education and economic environment,” Jost said.

“There’s a lot of focus on success on tested core subjects, and using MCAS as a barometer for achievement. Those of us who don’t have MCAS need to find ways to evaluate our program.”

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