Montgomery County
Public Schools is named one of the Best 100 Communities for Music Education in
America for 2006
MCPS was recently named one of
the Best 100 Communities for Music Education in America for 2006. The
American Music Conference, the National Association for Music Education, Mr.
Holland's Opus Foundation, the Music for All Foundation, the Music Teachers
National Association, the National School Boards Association, the National
Parent Teacher Association, Yamaha Corporation of America, and the VH1 Save the
Music Foundation sponsored the award.
The school division received the
award for outstanding music programs and community support, enriching the lives
of children, and advancing student achievement. All elementary
students in Montgomery County receive 30 minutes of music
education two times a week. Middle and high school students can
choose from a variety of music classes such as beginning band,
intermediate band, advanced band, concert band, symphonic band, marching band,
class piano, show and/or swing choir, concert choir, madrigals, jazz choir,
chorale, class guitar, class percussion, musical theater, etc. MCPS
employs twelve elementary music teachers, six band directors and
seven choir directors.
"The superb work of staff
made this award possible," said Kathy Duncan, supervisor of fine arts.