San Marcos CISD Music Program Receives National Recognition

 

The NAMM Foundation has recognized San Marcos CISD for its outstanding commitment to music education with a Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) 2015 designation. Now in its 16th year, BCME affirms school districts that have demonstrated exceptional efforts toward maintaining music education as part of the schools’ core curriculum.

 

BCME conducts a survey among more than14,000 school districts in the nation, and about 2,000 provided data on district funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music programs, and other factors in the community that affect access to music education for all students. Responses are verified with district officials, and go before a national review committee. The Center for Public Partnerships & Research, an affiliate of the University of Kansas, hosts the survey.

 

The district’s campuses received the Support Music Merit Award for 2015 to acknowledge their commitment to music education.

 

Community music programs have been drawing increased attention this school year because of a landmark study by Northwestern University brain scientists. The researchers found new links between students in community music programs and academic success in subjects such as reading. Beyond the Northwestern study, other research indicates that learning to play music can boost academic and social skills, such as processing math and learning to cooperate in group settings.

 

San Marcos provides music education at all levels, Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade. At the secondary level, music instruction is offered in band, choir, and orchestral programs. 

 

School Board President Kathy Hansen said, “This award demonstrates the importance of keeping music education in the core curriculum for all students and highlights music’s vital role in students’ overall success in school.”

 

The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its nearly 9,200 members around the world. The Foundation advances active participation in music making the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving, and public service programs. For more information about the NAMM Foundation, please visitwww.nammfoundation.org.