HHH Named 'A Best Community for Music Education'

For the third consecutive year, the Half Hollow Hills Central School District has been named “A Best Community for Music Education” by the NAMM Foundation it its 14th annual Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) survey.

The Survey Competition acknowledges schools and districts across the U.S. for their commitment and support for music education as part of the core curriculum.

“In my 10 tears at Half Hollow Hills, I have never been more proud of the performances and accomplishments of our music students and dedication and hard work of our music staff," said Sal Randazzo, HHH director of fine arts. “Having received the NAMM award for the third year in a row, I am truly gratified that the district is being recognized on the national level for all our achievements. It is an honor to be at the helm of such an impressive department in such a supportive community.”

The Best Communities designation recognizes collaborative, from-the-ground-up efforts of teachers,administrators, students and parents who continually work to keep comprehensive music education as an integral part of the core curriculum. This year, nearly 2000 schools and school districts participated in the survey- an increase of 366 percent from 2012, resulting in a record number of designations. This year’s increase in survey participation is an indication of growing support from both parents and administrators who recognize the vital role that music learning plays in student achievement.

According to NAMM Foundation Executive Director Mary Luehrsen, the Best Communities for Music Education program is the bellwether of rising endorsement for this vital cause.

“There is overwhelming research tying music education to higher overall student success in school and in life,” she said. “This designation recognizes communities for their commitment to music education and strengthens support for these programs. Having widely embraced the evidence indicating that music education yields great things in schools and communities,people are increasingly affirmative, advocating for school music curricula, and championing programs like Best Communities that recognize this commitment to music education.”

Now in its 14th year, the BCME program requires each school and district to detail funding, staffing, commitment to standards, and access to music instruction. Responses are meticulously reviewed by researchers at The Institute for Educational Research and Public Service of Lawrence, Kansas (an affiliate of the University of Kansas) and the NAMM Foundation to calculate the designated districts and awarded schools.

The BCME program is a significant tool in the NAMM Foundation’s advocacy efforts on behalf of school-based music education. Numerous studies have demonstrated that learning to play music can boost studentachievement and contributes to a school and district’s goals for success for all students. Also, a school music program is an instructional bargain; a NAMM-funded Cost of Music Education study found that a comprehensive K-through-12 music education program costs an average of only $187 per student per year.

“The designation reveals the elements of music programs so educators, administrators, teachers and students can see what they have, what they need, what they have accomplished, and what work needs to be done to strengthen their music education now and for the future,” Luehrsen said.

Article and photos courtesy of Half Hollow Hills Schools.