These North Texas students, school districts honored for making ‘music come alive’
Among the many things the Fort Worth area is known for is its music.
And it seems it is also known for ability to teach music.
The National Association of Music Merchants Foundation has released its annual list of Best Communities for Music Education. It includes seven school districts from the Fort Worth metro area.
Area districts honored on the nationwide list include Arlington, Eagle Mountain-Saginaw (EMS), Fort Worth, Grapevine-Colleyville (GCISD), Hurst-Euless-Bedford (HEB), Keller, and Springtown.
“An honor such as this is a direct result of the work of our many stellar music educators who pour their hearts into their instruction, starting with our youngest learners in pre-K all the way through our high school campuses across the district,” said Keller ISD Director of Fine Arts Kim Blann, noting this is the district’s sixth consecutive year to be honored. “In addition, a successful music education program happens only with a strong, supportive community, and we have the best.”
Mark Chandler, HEB School District Director of Visual and Performing Arts, said this is his district’s 15th consecutive year to be honored. Arlington ISD Communications Coordinator Mercedes Mayer said this is believed to be the 16th time in 17 years for that district, and GCISD Executive Director of Communications Kristin Snively noted that district won from 2013-16 and again from 2018-20.
“While many school districts are cutting the Fine Arts, HEB ISD continues to practice ‘We Educate the Whole Child,’” Chandler said. “The visual and performing arts mission statement says it best: ‘We are preparing students for their future as contributing citizens of a global community through the active study of the fine arts.’”
EMS Fine Arts Director Shawn Bell said this is the seventh straight year for his district to receive the accolade. For the Fort Worth ISD it is the sixth year in a row.
“We all know how music makes us feel as people. It connects us, it comforts us, and in many ways, it shapes us,” said Marcey Sorensen, FWISD Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning. “Our program and educators across the district do an incredible job in bringing music home for our 85,000 FWISD students in ways that help make music come alive for each of them, both collectively and individually.”