Press conference set for April 15
Texas Border Business
For the seventh straight year, McAllen ISD has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from the NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education. This is the most any school district in the Rio Grande Valley has received this award.
The district will hold a press conference on this honor where a representative from NAMM will formally present the award to the district early next week.
WHAT: Press Conference for national music award
WHEN: 10-10:30 am, Monday, April 15
WHERE: De Leon Middle School library (4201 N. 29th St.)
WHO: McAllen ISD Superintendent J.A. Gonzalez, Ed.D., Fine Arts Director Jim Egger plus Jim Melhart of Melhart Music representing the National Association of Music Merchants
WHY: To announce McAllen ISD as having earned a national “Best Communities for Music Education” award for the seventh straight year – most of any RGV school district
The Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students.
The award is based on a district’s entire music program from elementary through high school and from campus to campus. Districts that have been recognized by the NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Foundation are often held up as models for other educators.
“The NAMM Foundation award is given to school districts that have a very strong and comprehensive music education program in their schools,” Egger said. “We are very proud that in McAllen ISD every elementary music teacher is certified in music. McAllen ISD also has successful bands, choirs and orchestras at every middle school and high school campus. Our students continue to perform at a very high level.”
McAllen ISD has earned many accolades for music. Some of these include:
- Five state championships for McAllen High Mariachi Oro and both McAllen High and Rowe High Mariachi groups are state recognized and received Superior Rating at the UIL State Mariachi Festival
- Nearly 5,000 students in McAllen ISD middle and high school participate in music programs
- So far at UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Contest this spring, McAllen ISD comprised 24 percent of the performing groups and won almost 29 percent of the Sweepstakes Awards. Both are the highest in the region.
- Advanced Placement courses in music at all three comprehensive high schools
- 75 percent of McAllen ISD middle and high school students participate in fine arts
- Fourth-graders participating in annual Choral Festival each spring
- All 3rd and 5th grade students attend the Valley Symphony Orchestra Children’s Concerts each January.
- McAllen ISD presents an annual Choral Masterworks Concert in May featuring a choir of over 100 HS vocalists performing a major choral work.
- The McAllen ISD Sting Fling is presented every May featuring more than 1,000 string students.
Melhart’s Music has supported district music for more than 45 years. Melhart’s sponsors several music events in McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley annually.
To qualify for the Best Communities designation, McAllen ISD 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.
This award recognizes that McAllen ISD is leading the way with learning opportunities as outlined in the new federal education legislation, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). ESSA recommends music and the arts as important elements of well-rounded education for all children.
Research into music education continues to demonstrate educational/cognitive and social skill benefits for children who make music. In a series of landmark studies by scientists and researchers at Northwestern University a link was found between students in community music programs and life-long academic success, including higher high school graduation rates and college attendance. In another study from the University, it was discovered that the benefits of early exposure to music education improves how the brain processes and assimilates sounds, a trait that lasts well into adulthood.
Beyond the Northwestern research, other studies have indicated that music education lays the foundation for individual excellence in group settings, creative problem solving and flexibility in work situations, as well learning how to give and receive constructive criticism to excel.
A 2015 study supported by The NAMM Foundation, “Striking A Chord,” also outlines the overwhelming desire by teachers and parents for music education opportunities for all children as part of the school curriculum.
About The NAMM Foundation:
The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its approximately 10,300 members around the world. The foundation advances active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs. For more information about the NAMM Foundation, please visit www.nammfoundation.org.
