The Trojan Singers.
(Photo provided)

The NAMM Foundation awards school music education programs with the announcement of 2014’s Best Communities for Music Education. This year, the NAMM Foundation designated 376 districts throughout the United States as “Best Communities for Music Education” and 96 individual schools as “Support Music Merit Award winners.

These districts and schools set the bar in offering students access to comprehensive music education. The BCME program applauds the efforts of teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders working to assure that music education is part of the core curriculum. This year, more than 2,000 schools and school districts participated in the survey.

The “Best Communities” designation and the “Support Music Merit Awards” bring visibility to music classes, programs, and departments that are keeping music education alive in our schools”, said Mary Luehrsen, NAMM Foundation executive director. Designations are made to districts and schools that demonstrate an exceptionally high commitment and greater access to music education.

Triton Marching Band.
(Photo provided)

This year, Triton Jr.-Sr. High School has been recognized as one of the top award winners and one of the 96 schools from across the country to receive the “Support Music Merit Award” designation. Only five schools in Indiana were selected for this honor.

“Mr. Peter Foster, music director of all ensemble groups at Triton Jr.-Sr. High School, is to be commended for his dedication and commitment to music excellence, said Triton School Corporation Superintendent Donna Burroughs. “Mr. Foster’s skills as a teacher and the support he generates from the students and the community is the key to winning this award.”