District honored with Best Communities for Music Education designation

The Auburn Enlarged City School District has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding support and commitment to music education. This is the 11th time Auburn has been honored.

Now in its 26th year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement for providing music access and education to all students.

Two awards are given each year: Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) for school districts and the SupportMusic Merit Award (SMMA) for individual school sites. Both reach K-12 schools and districts throughout the U.S. and offer opportunities to increase awareness and support for music programs.

Over 1,000 districts and individual school sites (public, private, charter, parochial) were recognized for having the highest commitment to producing exceptional music programs.

"Being designated as a Best Community for Music Education is an honor for our music department and school district," said Kristan Sheppard, Auburn Choral Director/General Music Specialist and AJHS Musical Production Musical Director. "Music is the universal language that transcends boundaries and illustrates the core of humanity. This award embodies the dedication, passion, and talent of our students and faculty and recognizes the creativity, collaboration, and resilience that defines the heart of our music department."

To qualify for the Best Communities designation, [District] 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 by school officials and reviewed by Responses were verified by school officials and reviewed by the leading arts educational research firm, WolfBrown.

The NAMM Foundation is the charitable arm of the National Association of Music Merchants, the global trade association for the music products industry. The foundation works to remove systemic barriers that limit access to music-making and career pathways in the music industry. By investing in bold ideas and innovative solutions, we strive to build inclusive and thriving musical communities.

Congratulations to our Music Department faculty, staff and our talented student-musicians on this well-deserved honor. There are nine concerts coming up over the next three weeks where you can see them perform.