NORTH BRUNSWICK – The North Brunswick Township School District has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from the NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education.
The designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students.
To qualify, North Brunswick 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, according to a statement provided by the school district.
“We have developed a very dedicated team of talented teachers who serve our equally talented and dedicated students,” music supervisor James Egan said in the statement. “When you combine this with an extremely supportive community and administration, everyone wins. We are very proud to receive this distinction for the third year in a row.”
This award recognizes that the six North Brunswick schools are leading the way with learning opportunities as outlined in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), according to the statement. ESSA recommends music and the arts as important elements of a well-rounded education for all children.
North Brunswick schools have gone through a complete rebuilding of their music departments over the last 20 years, according to the statement. This rebuild has resulted in opportunities for students that include, multiple levels of ensembles, close ties and collaboration with Rutgers University, The College of New Jersey and Princeton University, and summer camp opportunities for children to hone skills year-round.
“The music department provides us the opportunity to be ourselves and express our feeling through music,” student Talani Hart said in the statement.
“Kids from all different walks of life come together for a common purpose,” student Mary Amoako said in the statement.
“It’s an important outlet and feels to us like a home away from home,” student Laila Clark said in the statement.
