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Last Updated: Apr 27th, 2012 - 19:32:49

MEDIA CONTACT:
Ann-Marie Nieves/Giles Communications
(914) 798-4114
anieves@giles.com

CARLSBAD, Calif., March 30, 2006 —Parents, teachers, school administrators, and students from communities across the U.S. consider music education vitally important for a quality education —this was the resounding message from applicants that applied to be recognized as part of this year's "Best 100 Communities for Music Education in America" seventh annual survey. The results of the national survey were announced today by the American Music Conference (AMC), the non-profit affiliate of NAMM, the International Music Products Association that supports the benefits of music, music education and music making.

The “Best 100” survey was conducted by Perseus Development Corp. of Braintree, Mass. and supported by a partnership of leading music and educational organizations during January, February and March. The list is appended below, and the complete results, along with background information on music education and the survey, can be seen in their entirety at www.amc-music.org.

The 2006 roster includes school districts from 31 states whose commitment to quality music education—measured across a variety of economic, curricular and programmatic criteria—has enabled them to stand out despite the many pressures on music and arts programs across the country. In previous years survey respondents cited that tight budgets in many of the 50 states squeezed school music budgets, but this year's survey revealed some changes in maintenance and overall support of music programs. Some 86 percent of survey respondents indicated that music is included as a core academic subject in school curricula and instructional priorities that are inline with the definition of arts as core academic subjects as defined in No Child Left Behind (NCLB) policy. Furthermore, more than 80 percent of survey respondents cited that their music programs are growing in terms of funding, size of programs, and public and school board recognition. This outcome supports the views outlined in a 2004 nationwide Gallup Poll that revealed that 93 percent of Americans said that schools should offer musical instrument instruction as part of the regular curriculum.

“All of the communities who participated in the survey should be applauded for making sure music education is part of a quality education for all children,” said Mary Luehrsen, Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations for NAMM. “With testing and accountability requirements, schools are facing many challenges in maintaining curricular time and resources that assure students have access to music education. The schools who participated in the survey and are being recognized here, consider music education integral to a quality education—not optional, elective, or available only if time permits.”

Luehrsen also noted that as scientific research continues to bring to light the social, academic and developmental benefits of an education that includes music, communities are placing increased value on music education programs in their districts. “The survey helps to highlight the importance of music education, but it's those communities on the list that truly set the standard. They provide solid role models for community support of music education.”

Being designated a “Best 100 Community for Music Education” also provides communities with a boost to help them sustain and support their programs. Steven Kosinski, the supervisor of performing and visual arts for the Waterford School District in Waterford, Mich. knows first-hand the benefits of music education and the value of making it on the “Best 100” roster. “The ‘Best 100' survey has had a phenomenal impact,” says Mr. Kosinski. “It's been a tremendous plus for the curriculum—especially in Michigan, with the terrible economy. It's helped keep the program alive.”

Thousands of public school and independent teachers, school and district administrators, school board members, parents and community leaders, representing communities in all 50 states, participated in the Web-based survey. Participants in the survey answered detailed questions about funding, enrollment, student-teacher ratios, participation in music classes, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program, participation in private music lessons and other factors in their communities' quality of music education. The responses were verified with district officials, and the sponsoring organizations reviewed the data.

This year's survey was conducted jointly by the country's top organizations devoted to music and learning. The American Music Conference (www.amc-music.org) joined MENC: The National Association for Music Education (www.menc.org), The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation (www.mhopus.org), The Music for All Foundation (www.music-for-all.org), The Music Teachers National Association (www.mtna.org), NAMM, the International Music Products Association (www.namm.com), The National School Boards Association (www.nsba.org), The National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) (www.pta.org), Yamaha Corporation of America (www.yamaha.com) and VH1 Save The Music Foundation (www.vh1savethemusic.com) in creating the survey and interpreting the results. Perseus Development Corp. (www.perseus.com) donated its time and expertise to implement the web survey and to analyze the data it generated.

For more information about the nationwide music education survey and the organizations that sponsored it, visit www.amc-music.org or call Ann-Marie Nieves, 914-798-4114 or Jodi Burack, 914-798-7132.

The complete "Best 100 Communities for Music Education in America" roster is listed alphabetically.

About NAMM
The International Music Products Association, commonly called NAMM in reference to the organization’s popular NAMM trade shows, is the not-for-profit association that unifies, leads and strengthens the $16 billion global musical instruments and products industry. NAMM’s activities and programs are designed to promote music making to people of all ages. NAMM is comprised of approximately 9,000 Member companies. For more information about NAMM, interested parties can visit www.namm.com or call 800-767-NAMM (6266).