N. Babylon Schools Honored For Music Education

If the music emanating from schools across North Babylon sounds a bit better than surrounding communities, there is a good reason.

For the fifth year in a row, the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation has named North Babylon School District a “Best Community for Music Education.” The honor, given to 166 school districts and 10 schools across the country, acknowledges schools for their commitment to and support of music education as part of the core curriculum.

This year’s award is the seventh over the past nine years for North Babylon.

According to NAMM, the Best Community designation is a distinction worthy of praise, but is also a call to action for local music education advocates to help preserve and potentially expand access to their current music education programs.

“We know that communities are struggling to maintain funding for many education programs and we applaud these communities that remain committed to a complete and quality education that must include music and the arts,” said Mary Luehrsen, executive director of NAMM. “We urge communities to celebrate the designation as a national recognition for their commitment to children and most of all, keep the music playing in their schools for years to come.”

Dr. Kim Lowenborg-Coyne, director of art and music programs for North Babylon schools, noted that the school district’s administration and board of education consistently focus on maintaining its arts education programs for all students.

“Our principals and administrators work together to observe mandates and always make time for music and art, regardless of time constraints,” she said.

Lowenborg-Coyne continued, “In North Babylon, we realize that study in the arts is indeed study, and that students who are able to successfully participate in band, orchestra, chorus, and musical theater are applying every basic skill they’ve learned in school…just at higher levels of complexity.”