For the 11th consecutive year, McAllen ISD has been honored as a national Best Community for Music Education.
The award is based on a district’s entire music program from elementary through high school. Approximately six percent of public-school districts nationwide (830) earned this prestigious award.
The designation is awarded to school districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students in all grades. Districts that have been recognized by the NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Foundation are often held up as models for other educators.
“This award recognizes school districts with stellar music programs top to bottom and across every campus,” McAllen ISD Superintendent Dr. J.A. Gonzalez said. “It stems from the dedication of our music directors and teachers plus our hard-working students and supportive families. Our music program is one more way we provide students with a world-class education.”
The award speaks to the level of excellence across all music genres and the expertise the district can offer even in the elementary grades.
“All of our elementary music teachers are certified in music,” McAllen ISD Fine Arts Director Debra Loya said. “We also have widely recognized bands, choirs, orchestras and mariachi programs in our middle schools and high schools.”
McAllen ISD has earned many accolades for music. Some of these include:
- Seven state championships for McAllen High Mariachi Oro.
- Three mariachi ensembles earning a top 10 spot in the state competition in 2023.
- Nearly 4,500 students in McAllen ISD middle and high school participating in music programs.
- 13 All-State music students in choir, band, orchestra and mariachi this year.
- At least four students each year who have earned All-State recognition in music for 44 straight years.
- Advanced Placement courses in music at all three comprehensive high schools.
- Attendance at Valley Symphony Orchestra Children’s Concerts for third and fifth graders; producing an annual Choral Festival performed by fourth graders; plus producing an annual String Fling orchestra concert featuring more than 1,000 student performers.
Melhart’s Music has supported district music for nearly 50 years. Melhart’s sponsors several music events in McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley annually.
Now in its 24th 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, McAllen ISD 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 reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.
This award recognizes that McAllen ISD is leading the way with learning opportunities as outlined in the new federal education legislation, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). ESSA recommends music and the arts as important elements of well-rounded education for all children.
Research into music education continues to demonstrate educational/cognitive and social skill benefits for children who make music. After two years of music education, researchers found that participants showed more substantial improvements in how the brain processes speech and reading scores than 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. In addition, everyday listening skills are stronger in musically trained children than 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.
About McAllen ISD
McAllen ISD is a three-time winner of the state’s highest rating, an “A,” and a four-time winner of the state’s Post-Secondary Readiness Distinction. In 2022, McAllen ISD was named the Best Large District in Texas through the H-E-B Excellence in Education awards. The district is home to 30 campuses and approximately 20,500 students.
About The NAMM Foundation:
The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its 15,000 member companies and individual professionals. 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 www.nammfoundation.org.