Floral Park Memorial High School band teacher and acting music chairperson Lee Duke is one of 213 national quarterfinalists for the Music Educator Award presented by the Recording Academy and the GRAMMY Foundation.
Duke, who began teaching band at Floral Park in 2010, filled in as acting music chairperson this school year. He also conducts the concert band, jazz ensemble and marching band and initiated the school’s Tri-M Music Honor Society.
In total, more than 4,500 nominations were submitted to the Foundation for consideration. The Music Educator Award recognizes kindergarten through college educators who have made a significant contribution to the field of music and who demonstrate a commitment to maintaining music education in schools.
Quarterfinalists are now being considered for semifinalist designations and must submit additional videos and essays, which will be reviewed by the Screening Committee comprised of music educators and music professionals. If chosen as a semifinalist, the videos and essays will be reviewed by the Blue Ribbon Committee consisting of music education professionals, GRAMMY Foundation Board members and members of the Recording Academy.
Nine finalists and a winner will then be chosen and presented their awards during GRAMMY Week 2016. The winner will be flown to the GRAMMY Awards ceremony and receive a $10,000 honorarium. The nine finalists will also receive a $1,000 honorarium, and the schools of all 10 finalists will receive matching grants.
—Courtesy of Sewanhaka Central High School District
