NAMM Foundation Opens 2016 Best Communities for Music Education Survey

School districts and schools across the country have the opportunity to receive national recognition for their commitment to providing students with access to comprehensive music education. NAMM Foundation’s 2016 Best Communities for Music Education (district) and SupportMusic Merit Award (individual school) surveys are now open. Music teachers and school administrators are invited to complete the 2016 survey between now until Saturday, January 30, 2016.

“Committed teachers, parents, students and administrators at schools and districts nationwide are shouting from the rooftops about the need to make music a part of the curriculum for every child. This designation acts as a megaphone amplifying their message to decision makers,” said Mary Luehrsen, executive director of the NAMM Foundation. “As the saying goes, ‘you need to be in it to win it,’ so I strongly encourage schools and districts to complete the survey. This is an essential part of getting the recognition you deserve for ensuring that children in your community have the opportunity to learn and grow with music!”

In 2015, more than 2,000 schools and districts participated in the Best Communities for Music Education and SupportMusic Merit Award surveys. From those surveys, the NAMM Foundation recognized 388 districts and 120 schools in 46 states. As the survey moves into its 17th year, many designees have reported that making the “Best Communities” or “SupportMusic Merit” list has helped their community to preserve and advance music education programs.

“Because of BCME, the tremendous efforts that the students, teachers, residents, business owners and leadership of the community demonstrate to support the music program no longer go unnoticed,” said Larysa Dragonetti, music instructor for Marple Newtown School District, a three year BCME designee. “The Marple Newtown community is proud to be recognized for our support - financially as well as, and more grandly, in spirit – of music.”

The surveys gauge funding, participation, facilities, and other factors that affect access to comprehensive music education. Once the responses are verified, The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas reviews the data.

School Districts - Complete the 2016 Best Communities for Music Education Survey
Individual Schools - Complete the 2016 SupportMusic Merit Award Survey

The 2016 BCME designees will be invited to participate in the third-annual, ‘What Makes Music Education Great in My School’ video contest, sponsored by the NAMM Foundation. Winning schools and districts will be awarded a two-day residency with the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus, and the opportunity to host a nationally webcasted SupportMusic Community Forum. The residency provides music students with the chance to write and record an original song aboard the Lennon Bus’ high-tech mobile recording studio, while the forum brings national recognition to communities that support music programs.

In conducting the annual BCME survey, the NAMM Foundation is joined by advisory organizations in the fields of music and education: Americans for the Arts, League of American Orchestras, John Lennon Educational Tour Bus, Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, Music for All, Music Teachers National Association, National Guild For Community Arts Education, Yamaha Corporation of America, Young Audiences, and VH1 Save The Music Foundation.

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About The NAMM Foundation
The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit organization funded in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its 9,900 members. The Foundation’s mission is to advance active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs. For more information about the NAMM Foundation, please visit www.nammfoundation.org.