In recognition of its outstanding commitment to music education, the Miller Place School District was recently honored by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation with the NAMM 2017 Best Communities for Music Education award. Only four percent of school districts nationwide received the prestigious award in 2017. The honor comes as a result of the outstanding efforts of Miller Place teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders to ensure access to music learning for all students as part of the school curriculum.
“As part of our dedication to educating the whole child, the Miller Place School District provides every student with a robust fine arts curriculum, including music, art and drama,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Marianne Cartisano. “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.”
In addition to providing daily music education on the elementary, middle and high school level, the District’s music department provides frequent opportunities for students to perform as well as innovative lessons that go beyond the classroom. Students perform in concerts, plays and recitals for classmates throughout the year.
The Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. To qualify for the distinction, the Miller Place School District answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program, and community music-making programs. Responses were verified with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.
“Music education is vital to our students’ growth into well-rounded individuals, scholars and good citizens,” said Miller Place High School Instrumental Band Director Patricia Isenberg. “A strong musical background supports students’ creative problem solving abilities and teamwork while providing the skills necessary to excel both inside and outside the classroom.”
The NAMM Foundation is a non-profit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its 9,000 members around the world. The NAMM Foundation works to advance active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs.