NECSD's Music Education Program Receives National Recognition for the Fourth Consecutive Year!

The Newburgh Enlarged City School District has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education for the fourth consecutive year!  
 
Now in its 22nd 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.
  
“Once again, and even in a global pandemic, this award recognizes the tremendous efforts of our highly qualified music educators at every level, and the continued commitment to exceptional music education for ALL of our fine and performing arts scholars by our administrators, parents/guardians, and community stakeholders. The core of NECSD is ‘Nurturing-Empowering-Collaborative-Student Centered-Diversity,’ and nowhere is that more evident than in the many educational opportunities included in our Fine and Performing Arts department, as we continue ‘Inspiring lifelong learners, consumers, and participators in the Arts.’ It is a privilege to be a part of such an innovative, caring, outstanding department and district that values music education as an essential part of the learning process.” Lynda Keech, Director of Fine and Performing Arts.

“It is an honor to receive this award again. I am excited for our scholars and families to continue to let their talent shine bright. This year, more than ever, our educators have been expanding beyond their comfort zone to provide scholars with opportunities to learn and perform.” Dr. Roberto Padilla, Superintendent for the Newburgh Enlarged City School District  

Since the passage by Congress in 2015 of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and a stated emphasis on a well-rounded education, many school districts have re-committed to music and arts education programs and found that in this time of a national pandemic, provides a valuable way to keep students engaged in school. ESSA provides designated funding for well-rounded educational opportunities through Title IV Part A Student Academic Success and Achievement grants. NAMM Foundation research has revealed that these grants are being widely used by school districts to address instructional gaps in access to music and arts education.
 
Research into music education continues to demonstrate educational/cognitive and social skill benefits for children who make music: After two years of music education, researchers found that participants showed more substantial improvements in how the brain processes speech and reading scores than their less-involved peers and that students who are involved in music are not only more likely to graduate high school, but also to attend college as well. Everyday listening skills are stronger in musically trained children than in those without music training. Significantly, listening skills are closely tied to the ability to: perceive speech in a noisy background, pay attention, and keep sounds in memory. Later in life, individuals who took music lessons as children show stronger neural processing of sound: young adults and even older adults who have not played an instrument for up to 50 years show enhanced neural processing compared to their peers. Not to mention, social benefits include conflict resolution, teamwork skills, and how to give and receive constructive criticism.

About The NAMM Foundation:
The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its approximately 10,400 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.

To qualify for the Best Communities designation, school districts answer 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.

ATTENTION: Are your scholars or colleagues doing something great? Please contact the district Communications Team at communications@necsd.net. We’d love to visit your class or event and/or post your pictures and recap to highlight the amazing accomplishments throughout our district!