Ferndale Named Among Best Communities for Music Education

The following information was provided by Ferndale Public Schools.

Ferndale Schools were named one of the 2013 Best Communities in the Nation for Music Education for the third year in a row by the NAMM Foundation. Ferndale is one of 11 communities in Michigan to receive this designation.

“It’s gratifying that we received national recognition for something we already knew,” said Elon Jamison, K-12 Performing Arts Instructional Lead Teacher and Director of Bands at FHS about Ferndale’s outstanding music program in a small community.  Jamison added that it’s nice to consistently achieve this recognition for three years now.

The NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to advancing active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs from the international music products industry. 

The Best Communities designation recognizes collaborative, from-the-ground-up efforts of teachers, administrators, students and parents who continually work to keep comprehensive music education an integral part of the core curriculum.  

The top 15-percent of applicants received the designation.  This year, nearly 2,000 schools and school districts participated in the survey - an increase of 366 percent from 2012 - resulting in a record number of designations. This year’s increase in survey participation is an indication of growing support from both parents and administrators who recognize the vital role that music learning plays in student achievement.

“In Ferndale, our parents, teachers and administrators have long recognized the value of music opportunities for our students,” said Ferndale Public Schools Superintendent Gary W. Meier.

According to NAMM Foundation Executive Director Mary Luehrsen, “There is overwhelming research tying music education to higher overall student success in school and in life. This designation recognizes communities for their commitment to music education and strengthens support for these programs. Having widely embraced the evidence indicating that music education yields great things in schools and communities, people are increasingly affirmative, advocating for school music curricula, and championing programs like Best Communities that recognize this commitment to music education.”

Congratulations to exceptional music teachers of the Ferndale Public Schools:

• Instrumental: Elon Jamison, Tim Burke, David Coleman
• Orchestral: Ben Moy
• Vocal: Kim Schroeder, Mary Brown, Debbie Hildebrand, Mary Walters.

Read more on Patch: Ferndale Named a 2012 'Best Community for Music Education'