From OCPS
In Summary:
Orange County Public Schools received the Best Communities for Music Education Award from The NAMM Foundation, marking its 10th consecutive year earning the national honor. The recognition reflects the district’s commitment to providing broad access to high-quality music education programs. Research cited in the award process underscores the academic and social benefits of music education, including improved reading, cognitive development, and graduation rates.
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Orange County Public Schools has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) Award from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education, marking the district’s 10th consecutive year receiving this prestigious recognition.
This national award continues to honor and celebrate school districts across the country that demonstrate outstanding achievement in providing all students with access to high-quality music education.
Related: OCPS opens Magnet and Scholastic Academy applications to all families, including outside the district.
To qualify for the BCME designation, Orange County Public Schools answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, participation in music classes, instructional time, facilities, and support for the music program and community music-making programs. Responses were verified by school officials and tabulated by WolfBrown, a national independent research and evaluation firm specializing in education and the arts.
“We are thrilled to receive this national recognition of our music education program for the 10th year in a row,” said Jason Locker, OCPS Senior Director for Visual and Performing Arts. “This honor reflects the passion, dedication, and expertise of our music educators, and reaffirms our commitment to equitable access to an outstanding arts education for every OCPS student.”
Research into music education continues to demonstrate educational/cognitive and social skill benefits for children who learn music. After two years of music education, research found that participants showed greater improvements in brain processing and reading scores than their less-involved peers. In addition, it showed that students involved in music are not only more likely to graduate from high school but also to attend college. Every day, listening skills are stronger in musically-trained children than in those without music training. Significantly, listening skills are closely tied to the ability to: perceive speech in a noisy background, pay attention, and keep sounds in memory. Later in life, individuals who took music lessons as children show stronger neural processing of sound; young adults and even older adults who have not played an instrument for up to 50 years show enhanced neural processing compared to their peers. Not to mention, social benefits include conflict resolution, teamwork skills, and how to give and receive constructive criticism.
Key Points:
- OCPS recognized nationally for music education for the 10th straight year
- Award presented by The NAMM Foundation
- District evaluated on funding, participation, instruction time, and program support
- Research shows music education improves academic performance and social skills
- Recognition highlights commitment to equitable access to arts education
About The NAMM Foundation
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. For more information about The NAMM Foundation, please visit www.nammfoundation.org.
