BCPS Wins National Music Award For 16th Consecutive Year

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — For the 16th consecutive year, Baltimore 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."

Now in its 22nd year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to school systems that demonstrate outstanding achievement in providing music access and education to all students. To qualify for the Best Communities designation, BCPS 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 with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.

“Baltimore County Public Schools has a longstanding tradition of offering students exemplary programming in music education,” Douglas Handy, director, Career and Technical Education and Fine Arts, said in a news release. “Receiving this national recognition for the 16th consecutive year is evidence of the remarkable stakeholders that comprise the music education community in BCPS.”

Baltimore County students can choose among numerous offerings, including courses in music and audio technology, world music and advanced placement music theory. Students perform throughout the community in choral groups, jazz ensembles, steel bands, orchestras and marching bands. In addition, partnerships with the area’s leading arts organizations provide opportunities to see and interact with professional musicians.