For the fifth straight year, the Abilene ISD has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education.
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 Abilene ISD has now been honored each year from 2018-22.
This year, the NAMM Foundation honored 738 school districts across the country – including 89 out of more than 1,200 in Texas – that are among the best communities for music education. The award recognizes outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students, and community leaders who have made music education part of a well-rounded education. Designations are made to districts and schools that demonstrate an exceptionally high commitment and access to music education.
“Abilene is a special place for the arts,” AISD Executive Director of Fine Arts Jay Lester said. “We are blessed to live and work in an environment that fosters the love of music education. Our curriculum is tailored to the Kodaly method starting in Kindergarten. As students progress through each grade level, more and more elements of music are introduced and mastered. By the time they reach middle school, students are ready for band, orchestra, and choir, which is offered through their senior year.”
To qualify for the Best Communities designation, Mr. Lester 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.
AISD has been vested in music education throughout its history, Lester said. Abilene High School fielded the first high school marching band in Texas, and since that time, both AHS and Cooper High School have participated in the UIL State Marching Band Contest. Countless band, choir, and orchestra students have earned TMEA All-State honors as well as the UIL State Solo Outstanding Performer designation.
Earlier this year, Trevor Cox, Hope Arrazola, Harrison Smith, and Aaron Reece all earned TMEA All-State honors in choir (Cox, Arrazola, and Smith) and orchestra (Reece). In addition to those students being honored at TMEA, Revolution Strings performed during the first general session.
“Not every city bolsters the kind of interest in supplemental music groups like Revolution Strings, show choirs, jazz bands, and a steel drum ensemble,” Lester said. “I am so proud of our teaching staff and our students in all they accomplish each year. This doesn’t happen by accident and is directly due to the kind of support mechanisms the district and community have in place. These include healthy budgets, a viable inventory, outstanding facilities, a highly qualified teaching staff, and scheduling that encourages participation.”
