The Baldwin County School District has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education for a sixth straight year in a row! The Baldwin County School District is one of only eight school districts in the state of Georgia to receive the prestigious recognition for 2021. Now in its 22nd year, 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.
“This recognition brings attention to the importance of keeping music education as part of our curriculum offerings and available to all students. We are very appreciative of the support of our Board of Education for their strong commitment to the arts through funding, staffing, and access,” said Superintendent Dr. Noris Price. “This recognition is also an incredible achievement and reward for our music educators and students,” added Superintendent Dr. Noris Price.
Research into music education continues to demonstrate cognitive and social skill benefits for children who participate in music education. After two years of music education, researchers found that participants showed more substantial improvements in how the brain processes speech and reading than their less-involved peers. Furthermore, students who are involved in music are not only more likely to graduate high school, but also to attend college as well. Everyday listening skills are stronger in musically trained children than in those without music training. Later in life, individuals who took music lessons as children show stronger neural processing of sound. Not to mention, social benefits include conflict resolution, teamwork skills, and how to give and receive constructive criticism.
About The NAMM Foundation
The National Association of Music Merchants Foundation is a nonprofit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its approximately 10,400 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.