Harrisonburg Schools earns 10th Best Communities for Music Education designation

Harrisonburg Schools has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for the 10th time.

The designation recognizes the school system’s outstanding support and commitment to music education. 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 Support Music Merit Award (SMMA) for individual school sites. Both reach K through 12 schools and districts throughout the U.S. and offer opportunities to increase awareness and support for music programs. More than 1,000 districts and individual school sites (public, private, charter, parochial) were recognized for having the highest commitment to producing exceptional music programs.

“It is an honor to be recognized again as a Best Community for Music Education, but being recognized for our 10th honor speaks volumes to the consistent value for music education by our community. The continued high quality of teaching and learning happening in our classrooms, in conjunction with the support of families, businesses and the community as a whole, allows us to be recognized as a leader in music education not only in Virginia, but across the country,” Harrisonburg Schools Coordinator of Visual and Performing Arts J.R. Snow said.

To qualify for the Best Communities designation, Harrisonburg Schools 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 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, the organization strives to build inclusive and thriving musical communities.