Farmingdale School District Among Best Communities For Music Education

For the fourth year in a row, the Farmingdale School District was awarded the honor of “Best Communities for Music Education” by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM).

Receiving a “Best Communities for Music Education Award” means the District has demonstrated commitment to providing access to music programs and high music-education standards.

“As part of our commitment to educating the whole child, the Farmingdale School District provides every student with a robust fine arts curriculum, including music, art and drama,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Lorentz said. “We are honored to receive this designation from the NAMM foundation. It is a well-deserved tribute to the dedication, diligence, passion and excellence of our students, our music department and our community.”

During the 18 years since its inception, the NAMM survey measures budgetary commitment to music, the presence of highly qualified music teachers, adherence to state and national standards, types of musical experiences offered, and opportunities for performance and competition.

“Farmingdale teachers are very pleased to once again be awarded this distinction,” Farmingdale School District Fine Arts Director Rita Zirpolo Padden said. “Music teachers work diligently every year to share their love of music with their students and to set ambitious musical goals. We see the results in music rooms, at performances every week and at the annual NYSSMA Majors adjudication; but it is very validating to have a national organization assess the district’s musical standards and award this honor.”

Over 2,000 school districts participated in the 2016-17 survey with 512 districts being awarded the “Best Communities in Music Education” by the NAMM Foundation, a nonprofit organization supported by the National Association of Music Merchants.

“These districts make a strong commitment to music education in the core curriculum supporting its essential value to a well-rounded education for every child,” Mary Luehrsen, NAMM Foundation executive director said.

Photo 1: (Pictured from L-R) Farmingdale School District’s Albany Avenue Elementary School music educators Matt DeMasi, MiHee Hwang, ToniAnn Fanizzi, Sam Gelfer and Catherine McLoughlin sit for a photo.

Photo 2: (Pictured from L-R) Farmingdale School District’s Farmingdale High School music educators Ed Kozlowski, Claire Zatorski, Therese Mannino, Jessica Mischke, Barbara Lieberman and Gina Pellettiere stand for a photo.

Photos courtesy of the Farmingdale School District