The Baldwin County School District announced today that it had been selected as a Best Community for Music Education by the National Association of Music Merchants for the third year in a row.

The Baldwin County School District is one of only six districts in the state of Georgia to earn the distinction and one of only 583 total districts in the entire country.

“The Fine Arts are critical to providing the most comprehensive education possible for our students,” said Superintendent Dr. Noris Price. “We have made substantial investments in our Fine Arts program at all grade levels in the district, and we see those investments pay off with distinctions like this.”

“It’s because of the hard work of our teachers in our schools, and the support that we have had from our administration, that we have received this honor for three years in a row,” said Fine Arts Director Anna Brock. “This program does more than expose students to the arts. It provides them outlets to express their creativity while also opening doors to continue their education in college through fine arts scholarships.”

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. Research demonstrates the educational/cognitive and social skill benefits for children who participate in music education. 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, it was discovered that the benefits of early exposure to music education improve how the brain processes and assimilates sounds, a trait that lasts well into adulthood.

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.