It’s official – Rutherford County Schools has been named one of the NAMM Foundation’s Best Communities for Music Education – for the third year in a row!
RCS has been honored with this national recognition from the NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education. 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. The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its approximately 10,400 members around the world.
Best Communities for Music Education designees are selected based on detailed information including access and opportunity, funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program, and community music-making programs. The information was reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University Kansas.
This year’s award is extra special because it reflects the commitment of Rutherford County Schools and the surrounding community to not just support – but STRENGTHEN – music and arts programs in our schools over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Knowing that music is one of the most effective ways to keep students engaged in school, RCS ensured that music instruction continued for both traditional and distance learners throughout the pandemic.
Here are just a few things that make music education in RCS special:
- Every elementary school student in RCS has access to regular music instruction taught by a full-time, certified music teacher at their school.
- Middle and High School students can choose to participate in instrumental music, vocal music, or general music offerings.
- During the pandemic, RCS utilized research-based mitigation strategies (such as instrument covers and distancing) to ensure students were able to continue making music.
- For 2020-21, RCS provided music-specific technology to ensure teachers and students were able to continue music instruction whether they were in-person or distance learning.
- RCS has been home to more mid-state vocalists than any other middle Tennessee district for many years in a row.
- RCS ensembles regularly earn awards and recognitions and are selected to play for state conventions.
- RCS music teachers regularly collaborate to grow as professionals and share their knowledge with one another to strengthen ALL music programs.
The Best Communities for Music Education designation shines a national spotlight on what we already know: Music education is a thriving and vital part of our schools and in our community in Rutherford County.