Alle-Kiski Valley districts earn national recognition for music education

The Alle-Kiski Valley is alive with the sound of music.

Five Valley school districts have been recognized by a national organization for their commitment to music education.

Burrell, Kiski Area, Fox Chapel Area, Freeport Area and Plum Borough were among 686 school districts named best communities in the nation for music education by the NAMM Foundation.

The NAMM Foundation recognized the schools for their outstanding commitment to music education. Now in its 22nd year, the designation is awarded to districts that show outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students, according to a news release.

An additional 80 schools, including Propel Schools-East in Turtle Creek, received the Support Music Merit Award, which goes to qualifying charter, private and parochial schools.

Freeport Area School District received the award for the sixth consecutive year.

“It’s just a testament to the entire school district community and their appreciation of music education,” said Robert Harris, chairperson for the district’s music department and a music educator at Buffalo Elementary.

The award process begins with an application that asks how the district approaches music education. The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas reviews those applications and recognizes award winners around the country.

“The thing that we highlighted more than anything this year, with the circumstances with the pandemic, was that we were able to make things still happen even under the worst circumstances,” said Chaz Shipman, who serves as the band director for grades six through 12.

High school students filmed a movie adaptation of “It’s a Wonderful Life” in December. This spring, the district is hosting three musicals for students of different ages.

“We have found new and sometimes more creative ways to make music happen,” Shipman said. “I’ve been really impressed with how resilient our students and their families have been throughout all of this.”

“The award is a reminder that what we are doing matters, and that we have the support of the entire community and the entire community works together to ensure that music education is an important part of the lives of all the kids (in) kindergarten through 12th grade,” Harris said.

Though participation dipped during the pandemic, he said, the music department remained a strong presence for students.

At Fox Chapel Area High School, Mairi Cooper, head of the music department, said she was excited to see how many local schools earned the recognition.

“I’ve been all over the country, and there are very few places where the support for arts programs is so large as a region. That just speaks to the values of this area and the strength of Pittsburgh. It’s really fantastic that we have so many programs in this area that are supported,” she said.

This is the 10th time Fox Chapel has earned the recognition, though Cooper said it’s an award recognizing the whole community, not just the school.

“I think the thing that’s powerful about this particular award is that it’s not just our music program — it really is talking about our entire community and the support and advocacy that there is,” she said. “It’s a unique award in that way, because it really is saying that you are part of a larger ecosystem that supports the arts.”

To qualify for the designation, questions must be answered regarding funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program and community music-making programs.

This year, districts also were asked to share stories and experiences of teaching through the covid-19 pandemic.

The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit organization supported by the National Association of Music Merchants and is made up of 10,400 members across the country. The foundation supports scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs.

Staff writer Megan Tomasic contributed.