19 Connecticut School Districts Among Best for Music Education

Nineteen Connecticut school districts have been recognized as being among the Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) in the U.S. for 2019.

Now in its 20th year, BCME recognizes outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders who work together to ensure access to music learning for all students as part of the school curriculum.

The 627 districts selected, including the 19 in Connecticut, were culled from the nation’s more than 13,000 school districts.  The Connecticut districts selected were:

•         Bethel Public School

•         Bloomfield Public Schools

•        Bristol Public Schools

•         Canton Public Schools

•         Cheshire Public Schools

•        Danbury Public Schools

•        Ellington Public Schools

•         Fairfield Public Schools

•         Glastonbury Public Schools

•         Granby Public Schools

•        Newington School District

•        Newtown Public Schools

•         Regional School District No. 8

•         Simsbury Public Schools

•         Southington Public Schools

•         Torrington Public Schools

•         West Hartford Public Schools

•         Westport Public Schools

•         Wilton Public Schools

That compares with 13 Connecticut school districts named among 476 districts in 2016.

In addition, 98 schools, including two in Connecticut - both in New Haven - were named Support Music Merit Schools. The two making the list from Connecticut were the John C. Daniels Interdistrict Magnet School of International Communication and the Fair Haven Pre K-8 School. That designation is an opportunity for an individual school (public, private, parochial or charter) to be acknowledged for its commitment to music education. It is a "school-only" distinction, awarded as part of the Best Communities for Music Education program.

The NAMM Foundation advances active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs.  Founded in 2006, The NAMM Foundation represents the generosity and philanthropy of the music products industry.

The organization’s website, citing a 2015 national report, indicates that 83% of teachers and 73% of parents do not see music education as a luxury, and believe that cuts to music programs are detrimental to student success. 

Citing an earlier study, NAMM points out that students in high-quality school music programs score higher on standardized tests compared to students in schools with deficient music education programs, regardless of the socioeconomic level of the school or school district.  Additional research, cited in published reports, underscores the impact of music in the early years. 

To qualify for the Best Communities designation, school districts provided detailed information about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program, and community music-making programs.

Studies have shown that there is a correlation exists between the amount of music training and the amount of improvement in reading fluency in children, and that music training improves scores in spatial-temporal reasoning used in higher levels of science and math.

The Music Achievement Council, an action-oriented nonprofit organization sponsored by the National Association of School Music Dealers (NASMD) and NAMM, the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), has set aside the third week of November as The First Performance National Day of Celebration to celebrate, honor and recognize the achievements of beginning instrumental music students.

It is celebrated through the presentation of a demonstration concert that allows these young musicians to showcase their newly-acquired musical skills for the very first time in a successful public venue.