RCSD Music Education Program Receives National Recognition for 2nd Consecutive Year
(April 22, 2020) – The Rochester City School District 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 21st 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, Dominic Pickard, Director of Arts for the Rochester City School District answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music programs. Responses were verified with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.
“Arts education in the Rochester City School District has proven academic, social and emotional benefits for students who participate. Data from the 2017-2018 school year shows that students enrolled in chorus, instrumental music and other music ensembles have a 3%-11% higher attendance rate, 0.6 – 1.1 higher grade point average and increased NWEA RIT Scores in both ELA and Math as compared to their peers who do not participate in these ensembles,” said Dominic Pickard. “It is because of the hard work and dedication of teachers, administrators, school support staff, students, families and a deep collaboration and partnership with Rochester’s Fine Arts Institutions that we are able to receive this recognition for consecutive school years.”
This award recognizes that The Rochester City School District is leading the way with learning opportunities as outlined in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The legislation guides implementation in the states and replaces the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) which was often criticized for an overemphasis on testing-while leaving behind subjects such as music. ESSA recommends music and the arts as important elements of a well-rounded education for all children.
“I hear several times a day that the only reason some students come to school is because they have a lesson. Music gives our students a place where they can shut out everything going on in their lives and create something beautiful. Music shapes our students into leaders, community ambassadors, and role models. It gives our students a chance to feel a connectedness that they don’t receive in today’s disconnected world.” Rebecca Fox, Co-Director, The Pride of Rochester Marching Band.
Research into music education continues to demonstrate educational/cognitive and social skill benefits for children who make music. After two years of music education, research found that participants showed more substantial improvements in how the brain processes speech and reading scores that their less-involved peers and that students who are involved in music are not only more likely to graduate high school, but also to attend college as well. Everyday listening skills are stronger in musically-trained children that in those without music training. Significantly, listening skills are closely tied to the ability to: perceive speech in a noisy background, pay attention, and keep sounds in memory. Later in life, individuals who took music lessons as children show stronger neural processing of sound; young adults and even older adults who have not played an instrument for up to 50 years show enhanced neural processing compared to their peers. Not to mention, social benefits include conflict resolution, teamwork skills, and how to give and receive constructive criticism.
A 2015 study supported by The NAMM Foundation, “Striking A Chord,” also outlines the overwhelming desire by teachers and parents for music education opportunities for all children as part of the school curriculum.
“We have made a lot of progress this year building relationships and connecting students from around the district who wouldn’t normally cross paths in a traditional school ensemble setting. This would not be possible without the tremendous support from our parents, students, teachers, administrators, and the community. We all work as a family to provide quality opportunities for students to grow musically, and in the process, support each individual school’s music program and community initiatives.” Scott Weber, Co-Director, The Pride of Rochester Marching Band.
Vocal/general music instruction is offered at every RCSD school. Instrumental music is offered at every RCSD school for students in grades 4-12. Additional Districtwide ensembles include the Pride of Rochester Marching Band, ROC City Players Theatre Program, and Voices of Victory Gospel Choir, which also serve any RCSD student in grades 4-12 who is interested. The RCSD also boasts strong visual arts programming for all students, including an assortment of engaging elective courses at the secondary level.
About The NAMM Foundation
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. 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 The NAMM Foundation.