June 13, 2008

 

Contact:            Dr. Ed Cannava

                        Arapahoe High School

                        303-347-6031

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

LPS Named One of the Best 110 Communities in America for Music Education in 2008

 

Littleton, Colorado—The NAMM Foundation and its advisors, including Americans for the Arts, League of American Orchestras, Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, The Metropolitan Opera Guild, Music for All, Music Teachers National Association, National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts, National PTA, Yamaha Corporation of America and VHI Save the Music Foundation, have recognized Littleton Public Schools as one of the Best 110 Communities in America for Music Education in 2008.  The Littleton community has demonstrated the highest commitment to this vital academic area, according to NAMM.  The Foundation feels that music education is not only a joy in and of itself, but the key to students’ success in many other areas of school and life.  This is the third time Littleton Public Schools have been recognized with this award (previously in 2002 and 2004).

 

Littleton Public Schools have received a certificate from the NAMM Foundation as a lasting testament to its inclusion in this year’s Best 110.  In the winter of 2008, people throughout America took an Internet survey and provided information about public and private music education.  Communities in 29 states are included in the list—Littleton Public Schools was one of only two Colorado Districts receiving this recognition for 2008.

 

Thousands of public school and independent teachers, school and district administrators, school board members, parents and community leaders, representing communities in all 50 states, participated in the Web-based survey during January and February.  The participants answered detailed questions about funding, enrollment, student-teacher ratios, participation in private music lessons, and other factors in their communities’ quality of music education.  The responses were verified with district officials, and the sponsoring organizations received the data.

 

The survey results show that successful music programs are to be found in communities that balance measurable resources, such as budgets and buildings, with less tangible assets such as the will to make quality music education a reality.  Top schools for music education benefit from the support of parents, teachers, school decision-makers, and community leaders who value music education highly.

 

“We commend these school districts for their commitment to assuring that music is part of a complete education for children,” said Mary Luehrsen, executive director, NAMM Foundation.  “It takes the commitment of an entire community to assure that music is part of the core curriculum.  Children engaged in music will be the innovation leaders of tomorrow, and there is no better way to build life-long participation in music than with a solid base of music education.”

 

Research reveals strong correlations between quality music education in school and academic achievement.  Students actively involved with music programs develop skills needed by the 21st century workforce, including critical thinking, creative problem solving, effective communication and team work.

 

In conducting the annual survey, the NAMM Foundation is joined by advisory organizations in the fields of music and education:  Americans for the Arts (www.americansforthearts.org), League of American Orchestras (www.americanorchestras.org), The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation (www.mhopus.org), The Metropolitan Opera Guild (www.operaed.org), Music for All (www.musicforall.org), Music Teachers National Association (www.mtna.org), National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts (www.nationalguild.org), National PTA (www.pta.org), Yamaha Corporation of America (www.yamaha.com) and VH1 Save The Music Foundation (www.vh1savethemusic.com).  The survey was conducted by Enterprise Feedback Management company, Vovici, (www.vovici.com).