Massapequa School District has been honored with its seventh Best Communities for Music Education designation from the NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education. The district joins 476 districts across the country in receiving the prestigious award in 2016 and is among 15 districts from Nassau County to earn this honor.
The Best Communities Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students.
Districts that have been recognized by the NAMM Foundation are often held up as models for other educators looking to boost their own music education programs.
To qualify for the Best Communities designation, the 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 with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.
Dr. David Gaines, Massapequa’s curriculum associate for music, K-12, attributes the recognition to the collective support of the staff, administrators, parents and the school board.
“There is tremendous support and enthusiasm on all levels to see that our students have access to an enriching music program and that they receive the support and opportunities they need to be successful student musicians,” he said. “This honor affirms that our music department, its staff and our programs are at the forefront of music education nationwide.”
The seventh recognition rings in some recent milestones and achievements in the district. For the first time, Massapequa High School had two student vocalists, Hannah Bentivegna and Alexia Castle, named All-National musicians by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). The district also produces one of the highest numbers of All-State musicians in Nassau County.
—Submitted by Massapequa Public Schools
