West Milford.The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation has awarded the West Milford School District the designation as a "Best Community for Music Education" for the 11th consecutive year, according to John Boronow, District Supervisor of Music, Art, and Family and Consumer Science, Grades K-12.
The designation of "Best Communities for Music Education" is a National Music Education Recognition Program awarded by the NAMM foundation.
The award honors schools and school districts for their support for music education as part of the core curriculum.
More than 600 school districts nationwide were designated as Best Communities for Music Education.
West Milford is one of only 40 school districts that received the designation in the State of New Jersey.
A complete list of districts and schools can be found at: www.nammfoundation.org/articles/bcme-2019-districts.
"The NAMM Foundation's Best Communities for Music Education is a signature program of The NAMM Foundation that recognizes and celebrates school districts and schools for their support and commitment to music education and efforts to assure access to music for all students as part of a well-rounded education," according to the foundation’s website.
According to NAMM, "The award program recognizes outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders who have made music education part of a well-rounded education. Designations are made to districts and schools that demonstrate an exceptionally high commitment and access to music education."
Scientific research on the benefits of music making across the lifespan
The NAMM Foundation supports scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs to advance active participation in music making across the lifespan.
"The NAMM Foundation supports research projects that explore the impact of music making. The Foundation promotes research through the media that provides information about the benefits of making music at every age."
NAMM Partners include:
● Americans for the Arts
● Arts Education Partnership
● The Arts Education
● Partnership of the Council of Chief of State School Officers
● Drum Corps International (DCI)
● John Lennon Educational Tour Bus
● Music For All
● National School Boards Association (NSBA)
● Music Achievement Council
● National Association for Music Education (NAfME)
● Sesame Workshop
● SupportMusic Coalition
● The Kennedy Center
● Turnaround Arts
● VH1 Save The Music Foundation
Music education is a path to life-long learning and knowledge of self and culture. It supports healthy social development and the quality of a young person’s life, and it prepares young people for success in the 21st century workplace.
Music education facilitates student academic achievement:
● Improves recall and retention of verbal information
● Advances math achievement
● Boosts reading and English language arts (ELA) skills
● Increases average SAT scores