Milford Receives National Recognition for Music Education Support
City and School District Honored 4th Year in a Row
MILFORD – The Milford Public Schools and the City of Milford together are pleased to announce Milford has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation (BCME) from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education. The award marks the 4th year in a row that the city and the district have received the award. Now in its 25th year, the BCME designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement for providing music access and education to all students.
To qualify for the BCME 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 by school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.
In Milford, music education instruction is offered to all students, grades PK-12. The district offers a wide variety of music programming in general music, music technology, voice/chorus, instrumental, and orchestra/strings. The addition of the Electrify Your Choir experience earlier this year with world-renowned masters Laura Kaye and Nathan Blake provides a recent example of the district’s effort to keep moving the Milford music program forward.
Additional consideration was given to the strong support of music education evidenced throughout the community. Examples of this included Milford’s Annual Porchfest, and the robust performance offerings through the Milford Arts Council (MAC). In addition, local jazz professional, Jay Rowe, has organized a world class 2-night concert for the past 20 years called “Smooth Jazz for Scholars.” The event draws jazz enthusiasts across the Northeast seaboard with proceeds earmarked for the MPS music program.
Research unilaterally confirms that strong music and art programming in school districts provides a valuable way to keep students engaged in school. In fact, after two years of music education, researchers found that participants showed more substantial improvements in speech/language processing and in reading scores compared to their peers not involved in music programming. Studies also show that students who are involved in music are not only more likely to graduate from high school, but also to attend college.
Amy Perras, Instructional Supervisor for the MPS Music Program PK-12, was delighted upon hearing the news about the award. “The depth and breadth of factors considered for this award dovetail perfectly not only with our music program but also with our entire academic philosophy,” she said. “Music education builds a student’s teamwork skills, and helps them develop conflict resolution skills, and learn how to listen objectively. We are, indeed, fortunate to have a group of such talented, skilled staff members and students who demonstrate their absolute best every day.”
Dr. Anna Cutaia, Superintendent of Schools, agreed. “Receiving this award continues to validate our work and speaks volumes to the heights our students and staff are attaining,” she commented. “Our partnership with the community is yet another example of Milford’s unilateral embrace of music experience and education. We are grateful.”
Mayor Anthony Giannattasio, also a strong supporter of the arts himself, was not surprised that the Milford community has consistently received this honor. “I’m thankful that the Milford community is once again being recognized for our strong support of the arts and music. Milford is blessed to have such a vibrant range of musical talent in the community - from the students and educators in the school system, the volunteers and members of the Milford Arts Council, and through all of our music-focused community events, our commitment and support of music and the arts is a large part of what makes Milford shine,” said Mayor Giannattasio.
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About the NAMM Foundation
The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its 15,000 global member companies and individual professionals worldwide. 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.