Pensacola, Florida – Escambia County Public Schools has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education.
This is the fourth year ECPS has earned this recognition. Now in its 24th 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.
To qualify for the Best Communities designation, Escambia County Public Schools answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program and community music-making programs. Responses were verified by school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.
“Music is thriving in Escambia County Public Schools. Our school board and leadership supports music through our staffing, finances, and resources, and that leads to student success,” said ECPS Fine Arts Specialist Angela Barberi. “Our music students and, as important, their families are invested in their schools. Our music students graduate and they go on to use the soft skills they learned in music in many professions as adults here in our community.”
Since the passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) in 2015 and a stated emphasis on a well-rounded education, many school districts have re-committed to music and arts education programs. During the pandemic, music and arts programs were a vital component to keeping students engaged in school. ESSA provides designated funding for well-rounded educational opportunities through Title IV Part A Student Academic Success and Achievement grants. NAMM Foundation research has revealed that these grants are being widely used by school districts to address instructional gaps in access to music and arts education.
“Music education is about so much more than teaching music. Music is the vehicle through which rapport is established and singers learn how to relate to people who are different than they are,” siad Ransom Middle School Chirector Angela Horne. “They begin to practice working with others they may not choose to be around, simply because they are sharing the process of creating music. The music fosters a safe space to express their emotions, which are often bigger than the singers themselves. Music reaches to the core of who we are as humans, and helps us connect to one another. We can’t afford to skip this – the beauty, the creativity, the connection is unlike any other.”
About The NAMM Foundation
The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its 15,000 member companies and individual professionals. 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.