Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) 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.
SMMUSD joins 526 districts across the country in receiving the prestigious award in 2017, and is one of only two districts in Los Angeles County to be recognized, according to SMMUSD
The Best Communities Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students.
“This award recognizes the outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders who work together to ensure access to music learning for all students as part of the school curriculum,” said SMMUSD Superintendent Dr. Ben Drati. “We would not have received this recognition without the hard work and dedication of many people providing equity and access to all our students.”
To qualify for the Best Communities designation, SMMUSD 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.
Community music programs have been drawing increased attention because of a landmark study by Northwestern University brain scientists. These researchers found new links between students in community music programs and academic success in subjects such as reading.
