Ossining Recognized Again for Quality of Music Education

The Ossining school district has been named a Best Community for Music Education by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation for the fifth consecutive year.

The school district is one of 388 in the country and 114 in New York to receive the designation from the California-based group. The Best Communities for Music Education program, in its 16th year, recognizes districts for efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders to make music education part of the core curriculum.

“We place a premium on music education in Ossining because we know there is a strong correlation between the instruction students get in this area and their overall success,” said Raymond Sanchez, Ossining schools superintendent. “So we’re thrilled to be recognized again by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation for the quality of our program.”

Ossining and Scarsdale are the only two school systems in Westchester County to receive the designation.

“We commend the districts and schools that have earned the Best Community designation this year,” said Mary Luehrsen, executive director of the NAMM Foundation, said in announcing the winning school districts this week. “They join with so many that believe as we do that there is a vital link between do-rei-me and the ABCs.”

The Center for Public Partnerships & Research at the University of Kansas assists the NAMM Foundation in evaluating schools and districts based on funding, staffing of highly qualified teachers, commitment to standards and access to music education.