NSCSD Music Education Program Receives National Recognition

	The North Syracuse Central School District is excited to announce it has been honored with the “Best Communities for Music Education” designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education.  Now in its 23rd year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in their efforts to provide music education with access to all students.   This year, 738 school districts across the country received this honor and is the first time the North Syracuse Central School District has been selected for recognition. The NSCSD offers a comprehensive music program that affords students a wide range of high-quality classroom music instruction and opportunities to performing in many different ensembles and musical groups.
North Syracuse Central School’s District Superintendent of Schools Daniel Bowles reacted to news of the honor saying, “Music education is a key component of the NSCSD’s robust curriculum and we are fortunate to have opportunities for students to begin learning music at a young age. It is exciting to receive this recognition especially in light of the tremendous work our staff did to keep the music program going during the pandemic. I am very proud of our dedicated and very talented teachers and students.”   The “Best Communities” designation recognizes collaborative, from-the-ground-up efforts for teachers, administrators, students and parents who continually work to keep comprehensive music education as an integral part of the core curriculum. These districts also lead the way with learning opportunities as outlined in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which recommends music and the arts as important elements of a well-rounded education for all children.   Donna Marie Norton, the District’s Fine Arts Program Administrator, also commented on the recognition. “We are so proud to be recognized as a “Best Community” by the NAMM Foundation” she said. “Our students and teachers have worked so hard and deserve to be congratulated for all that they’ve accomplished.  Music is such an important component to educating the whole child and it’s simply wonderful that our efforts and talents are rewarded in this way.”   About The NAMM Foundation The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its approximately 10,300 members around the world. The foundation advances 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.