For the fourth consecutive year, the Vestal Central School District has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education. Vestal received the honor for the first time in 2017 and this year is one of only 754 school districts recognized nationwide.
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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 Best Communities designation, Vestal 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.
The Best Communities for Music Education designation is an acknowledgement of the daily dedication of our music students and music teachers,” said Gregory Harris, the District’s Music Department Chair. “It also recognizes our K-12 staff, administrators and community members for their continued support of Music Education. The Vestal Central School District continues to lead with their belief that music is a vital and inclusive part of public school education.”
Vestal’s Music Education program regularly sees students selected for the New York State Schools Music Association (NYSSMA) festivals each year. This year we had five students in NYSSMA AllState ensembles and one student in an All-National ensemble. We also routinely place students in Regional and County ensembles. And in 2016, the Vestal Golden Bears Marching Band was proud to earn the school district’s first-ever New York State Field Band Championship.
For more information about the NAMM Foundation, please visit its website at www.nammfoundation.org.