Glenwood City’s Music Education Program Receives National Recognition for 3rd Straight Year
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Glenwood City, WI– April 2, 2019 – The School District of Glenwood City 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 20th 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, Glenwood City 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.
This award recognizes that Glenwood City 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.
Music teacher Mrs. Hierlmeier stated, “To be recognized as a best community for education three years in a row is to know that you live in a place where music in our school is placed at the forefront of a well-rounded education. I feel very lucky to live and teach in a town that knows how important music education is, and values it at such a high level.”
Music teacher Mr. Lamb stated, “We are very proud of our students and our community. The NAMM Best Community designation shows that our community values our kids being involved in music. Our program has recently been very active in training future music educators from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. This collaboration has increased our ability to meet our students needs dramatically.”
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.
Glenwood City has a rich tradition of excellence displayed through academics, athletics, and co-curricular activities. As former school board president Dr. Charles Rasmussen said, “Even though we are a small school, our students do great things”. These great things exemplify our community. A community based upon strong relationships, hard work, high expectations, and tremendous support connecting students, parents, staff, and district residents.
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 www.nammfoundation.org.