Best Communities for Music Education Award

Awarded annually to school districts, independent, and private schools that demonstrate a deep commitment to music education.
Image of a girl playing the flute

What Makes a Best Community for Music Education?

Like any community, a thriving music education community requires broad participation, a sense of belonging, and structure. The Best Communities for Music Education Award recognizes that a healthy music community is defined by a wealth of passion and commitment from leaders who leverage every resource to expand opportunities for children to learn and grow through music-making. 

The districts and schools recognized by the Best Communities for Music Education Award demonstrate a high standard of excellence that other communities aspire to.

Throughout the award's 25 years, the Foundation has recognized thousands of school districts and schools in 43 states. From rural to metropolitan, large and small, public and non-public, The NAMM Foundation proudly honors the diversity of educational communities that support students' musical growth. 

Why Participate

  • National recognition
  • Community recognition and pride
  • Increased visibility of music education in your district, school, and community
  • Program validation of your school or district's support for music education
  • Program auditing tool for evaluating your music program

Eligibility

  • School districts, or private/independent schools unaffiliated with a school district.
  • Districts and schools must have a music education program and reside in the U.S.
  • One application per school or district
  • All application surveys must be submitted by the deadline


There are two BCME tracks available. You may only apply for one award:

  • The Best Communities for Music Education Award (BCME): is for school districts
  • The SupportMusic Merit Award (SMMA): is for an individual school (independent or private) that serves students at various grade levels.


How to Apply
The 2025 BCME application cycle will open in November 2024. 

FAQs

WHO CAN APPLY

  • School districts, or private/independent schools unaffiliated with a school district.
  • Districts and schools must have a music education program and reside in the U.S.


WHO SHOULD COMPLETE THE SURVEY

A qualified district representative should complete the survey due to the specific information requested. A district administrator should gather and complete the survey on behalf of the district or school or work in partnership with the music educator or fine arts supervisor.

WHAT IS THE CRITERIA

  • Student demographics
  • Teacher/student ratio
  • Music education participation rates
  • Music education and/or fine arts requirements for graduation or as required by the curriculum
  • Knowledge of music education electives
  • Teacher qualifications
  • Standards for assessing music education
  • Music facilities
  • Budget
     

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY

On average, it takes about 30 to 40 minutes to complete once you have collected all the information.

WILL MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS INCREASE MY DISTRICT/SCHOOL'S CHANCES

No, only the first application per district or school will be considered in our process so please coordinate with the other administrators.  We strongly encourage you to work together to complete the survey.

 

 

Contact The NAMM Foundation at info@nammfoundation.org

 

The Best Communities for Music Education 25th anniversary

 

The complete list of 2024 Districts (BCME)
The complete list of 2024 Schools (SMMA)