United Independent School District (UISD) has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The National Association of Music Merchants Foundation for their outstanding support and commitment to music education. This is the seventh year in a row that the district has earned this recognition. Now in its 26th year, the designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement for providing music access and education to all students.
Two awards are given each year: Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) for school districts and the SupportMusic Merit Award (SMMA) for individual school sites. Both reach K-12 schools and districts throughout the U.S., offering opportunities to increase awareness and support for music programs. Over 1,000 districts and individual school sites (public, private, charter, parochial) were recognized for having the highest commitment to producing exceptional music programs.
“A quality music education is as essential to the life-long development of a child as reading, writing, and arithmetic,” said Gerardo Rodriguez, UISD Director of Fine Arts. “Our music teachers inspire and educate students with an array of knowledge and skills through diverse music programs. Receiving this distinction for the 7th year in a row validates the hard-work and dedication that our teachers provide to our students on a daily basis.”
To qualify for the Best Communities designation, United 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 by school officials and reviewed by the leading arts educational research firm, WolfBrown.
“Music education offers a world of learning beyond the classroom. It connects students with their community, encourages them to collaborate with a wide range of people, and instills the valuable lesson of putting "we" before "me." The dedication required to learn an instrument builds incredible grit, teaching children to push through moments when they feel overwhelmed and tempted to give up,” added Alejandro Mireles, Head Band Director at Raul Perales Middle School. Mireles also pointed out that through music, students explore their emotions, develop personal interpretations, and learn to understand the composer's intent.
The NAMM Foundation is the charitable arm of the National Association of Music Merchants, the global trade association for the music products industry. The foundation works to remove systemic barriers that limit access to music-making and career pathways in the music industry. By investing in bold ideas and innovative solutions, the foundation strives to build inclusive and thriving musical communities.
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