'Best Communities for Music Education' Invites School Districts and Music Programs to Participate in 2011 Survey

Amid a backdrop of arts education budget cuts, The NAMM Foundation today announced that it will continue its effort to recognize schools across the United States that support music education and provide opportunities for children and young people to learn and grow with music. 

This year marks the Foundation’s 12th annual Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) Survey, a nationwide search for communities whose programs exemplify a strong commitment to music education. Established in 1998, BCME recognizes and celebrates schools, their administrators, teachers, board members, parents and students for their support and commitment to music education.

The 2011 survey begins on Friday, January 14, 2011 and will remain open through Friday, March 11, 2011. The survey can be completed at www.nammfoundation.org. Each school district or school is allowed to fill out one survey, which must be completed by a school administrator and/or teacher who has access to school and district demographic and budgetary information.

A copy of the survey can be downloaded for review at http://www.nammfoundation.org/research/best-communities-music-education-united-states. The announcement of the BCME final roster will be on May 2, 2011, a date that will commemorate Music Monday, a national celebration of music education and music making.

This recognition honors – and nurtures – the remarkable accomplishments of educators, students, schools and communities that are committed to quality music education programs,” said Mary Luehrsen, executive director, NAMM Foundation. “Historically, communities that have received the mark of excellence embodied by the Best Communities for Music Education designation have enjoyed increased support for their music programs.”

Participants in the survey answer detailed questions about enrollment, student/teacher ratios, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program, private music lesson participation and other relevant factors in their communities’ music education programs. The responses are verified with district officials and program advisors review submission.

As in the previous years, the 2011 survey will be conducted in collaboration with The Institute for Educational Research and Public Service (www.ku.edu/~ierps/cgi-bin) of Lawrence, Kansas, an affiliate of the University of Kansas. 

In conducting the annual survey, the NAMM Foundation is joined by advisory organizations in the fields of music and education: Americans for the Arts (www.americansforthearts.org), League of American Orchestras (www.americanorchestras.org), The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation (www.mhopus.org), Music for All (www.musicforall.org), Music Teachers National Association (www.mtna.org), National Guild For Community Arts Education (www.nationalguild.org), Yamaha Corporation of America (www.yamaha.com), Young Audiences (www. http://www.yany.org), National PTA (www.pta.org) and VH1 Save The Music Foundation (www.vh1savethemusic.com).

About The NAMM Foundation
The NAMM Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to advancing active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs from the international music products industry.

Contact: Lisa Cesarano
Giles Communications
(914) 798-7134
lcesarano@giles.com