TOWSON, MD—Baltimore County Public Schools has been recognized for its exceptional music education program with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation. This is the 20th year in a row that BCPS has received this prestigious national honor.
The Best Communities for Music Education designation, now in its 26th year, recognizes school systems that demonstrate a strong commitment to providing comprehensive music education for all students. BCPS is one of only two school systems in Maryland to receive this distinction this year. Over 1,000 schools and districts were recognized for exceptional music programs.
“Music education is a core component of a well-rounded curriculum in BCPS, and we serve approximately 75,000 students in our PreKindergarten to Grade 12 music course offerings,” said Sonia Synkowski, BCPS performing arts coordinator.
The district offers a variety of music education opportunities for students, including courses in music and audio technology, world music, and Advanced Placement Music Theory. Students can participate in various performance groups, such as choral groups, jazz ensembles, steel pan ensembles, orchestras, marching bands, and ukulele.
In addition to its comprehensive curriculum, BCPS partners with local arts organizations to provide students with opportunities to interact with professional musicians.
“Music education is often a contentious topic given that many do not equate its value to the likes of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education, for example,” said Sean Marshall, a senior at Woodlawn High School. “But I learned how to use my instrument to paint pictures and convey the thoughts of various composers. I also learned how to be a composer myself and write new music for this generation.”
The NAMM Foundation awards two designations each year: Best Communities for Music Education and the SupportMusic Merit Award. Red House Run Elementary School was the only elementary school in Maryland to receive the SupportMusic Merit Award this year.
This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.
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