HARRISONBURG, VA (Rocktown Now) — Harrisonburg City Public Schools has been presented with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for their outstanding support and commitment to music education for the tenth time. Now in its 26th year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement for providing music access and education to all students

Two awards are given each year: Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) for school districts and the SupportMusic Merit Award (SMMA) for individual school sites. Both reach K-12 schools and districts throughout the U.S. and offer opportunities to increase awareness and support for music programs. Over 1,000 districts and individual school sites (public, private, charter, parochial) were recognized for having the highest commitment to producing exceptional music programs.

“It is an honor to be recognized again as a Best Community for Music Education, but being recognized for our TENTH honor speaks volumes to the consistent value for music education by our community,” said J.R. Snow, Coordinator of Visual and Performing Arts for Harrisonburg City Schools.  “The continued high quality of teaching and learning happening in our classrooms, in conjunction with the support of families, businesses, and the community as a whole, allows us to be recognized as a leader in music education not only in Virginia, but across the country.”

To qualify for the Best Communities designation, Harrisonburg City Schools 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 by school officials and reviewed by Responses were verified by school officials and reviewed by the leading arts educational research firm, WolfBrown.